Quantum Simulation: Interaction Control

This lecture delves into controlling the interaction part of the Hamiltonian in analog quantum simulation using ultra-cold atoms. The instructor explains how neutral but polarizable systems interact via the Van der Waals potential, which can be simplified for low-energy systems. By focusing on head-to-head collisions and s-wave scattering, the lecture simplifies the interaction problem to only consider the scattering length, which can be controlled using mechanisms like Feshbach resonance. This control over interactions, along with the ability to manipulate kinetic energy and trapping potential, allows for the simulation of various quantum systems, such as superconductors and mod insulators, using cold atoms as an analog quantum simulator.