How to realize long-range interaction of colds atom in an optical lattice?

Question

In the Bose-Hubbard model of cold atoms in an optical lattice, we consider only the short-range interaction or on-site interaction. Is it possible to realize long-range interaction similar to Coulomb interaction in the cold atom experiment?

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-24 04:15 (UCT), posted by SE-user Jeremy

Answer 1

A way to get long-range interactions in cold atoms is to use polar molecules, which is a rapidly growing field in the cold atoms community.

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-24 04:15 (UCT), posted by SE-user Adam

Answer 2

Check out the introduction of e.g. this paper for an example of long range Van der Waals forces, which are encountered in cold atom experiments. These forces occur between highly excited atoms called Rydberg atoms and behave as $n^{11}/r^6$, where $n$ is the principal quantum number, which is extraordinary high for these atoms.

This post imported from StackExchange Physics at 2014-03-24 04:15 (UCT), posted by SE-user Funzies