Exploring topological states with synthetic matter

I will review recent theoretical ideas and experimental progress in realizing topological states with ultracold atoms in optical lattices and photons Such systems enabled several types of measurements which had not been possible in solid state systems including direct measurements of the Berry Zak phases of Bloch bands observation of edge states on domain walls in the one dimensional SSH model and realization of topological Floquet insulating band structures Thursday Refreshments are served at 3:20pm