$F$-wave pairing of cold atoms in optical lattices

Abstract

The tremendous development of cold atom physics has opened up a whole new opportunity to study novel states of matter which are not easily accessible in solid state systems. Here we propose to realize the $f$-wave pairing superfluidity of spinless fermions in the $p_{x,y}$-orbital bands of the two dimensional honeycomb optical lattices. The non-trivial orbital band structure rather than strong correlation effects gives rise to the unconventional pairing with the nodal lines of the $f$-wave symmetry. With a confining harmonic trap, zero energy Andreev bound states appear around the circular boundary with a six-fold symmetry. The experimental realization and detection of this novel pairing state are feasible.