Lattice-Based Studies of Weakly Coupled Atom-Reservoir Systems

The coupling of a small quantum system to a much larger one (serving as a reservoir) can give rise to both coherent and dissipative behavior. We report our progress on characterizing a system composed of atoms trapped in a state-dependent optical lattice subject to coupling to a variable bosonic background. This system is predicted to display both polaronic energy shifts and spin-boson-type dissipative dynamics, phenomena that can be studied in our system utilizing precise magnetic field control.