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Quantum interference can deeply alter the nature of many-body phases of matter1. In the case of the Hubbard model, Nagaoka proved that introducing a single itinerant charge can transform a paramagnetic insulator into a ferromagnet through path interference2–4. However, a microscopic observation of this kinetic magnetism induced by individually imaged dopants has been so far elusive. Here we demonstrate the emergence of Nagaoka polarons in a Hubbard system realized with strongly interacting fermions in a triangular optical lattice5,6. Using quantum gas microscopy, we image these polarons as extended ferromagnetic bubbles around particle dopants arising from the local interplay of coherent dopant motion and spin exchange. By contrast, kinetic frustration due to the triangular geometry promotes antiferromagnetic polarons around hole dopants7. Our work augurs the exploration of exotic quantum phases driven by charge motion in strongly correlated systems and over sizes that are challenging for numerical simulation8–10.more » « lessFree, publicly-accessible full text available May 9, 2025
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Abstract The Hubbard model is an essential tool for understanding many-body physics in condensed matter systems. Artificial lattices of dopants in silicon are a promising method for the analog quantum simulation of extended Fermi-Hubbard Hamiltonians in the strong interaction regime. However, complex atom-based device fabrication requirements have meant emulating a tunable two-dimensional Fermi-Hubbard Hamiltonian in silicon has not been achieved. Here, we fabricate 3 × 3 arrays of single/few-dopant quantum dots with finite disorder and demonstrate tuning of the electron ensemble using gates and probe the many-body states using quantum transport measurements. By controlling the lattice constants, we tune the hopping amplitude and long-range interactions and observe the finite-size analogue of a transition from metallic to Mott insulating behavior. We simulate thermally activated hopping and Hubbard band formation using increased temperatures. As atomically precise fabrication continues to improve, these results enable a new class of engineered artificial lattices to simulate interactive fermionic models.more » « less
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Strongly correlated materials are expected to feature unconventional transport properties, such that charge, spin, and heat conduction are potentially independent probes of the dynamics. In contrast to charge transport, the measurement of spin transport in such materials is highly challenging. We observed spin conduction and diffusion in a system of ultracold fermionic atoms that realizes the half-filled Fermi-Hubbard model. For strong interactions, spin diffusion is driven by super-exchange and doublon-hole–assisted tunneling, and strongly violates the quantum limit of charge diffusion. The technique developed in this work can be extended to finite doping, which can shed light on the complex interplay between spin and charge in the Hubbard model.more » « less