Generalized Hofstadter model on a cubic optical lattice: From nodal bands to the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect

Abstract

We propose that a tunable generalized three-dimensional Hofstadter Hamiltonian can be realized by engineering the Raman-assisted hopping of ultracold atoms in a cubic optical lattice. The Hamiltonian describes a periodic lattice system under artificial magnetic fluxes in three dimensions. For certain hopping configurations, the bulk bands can have Weyl points and nodal loops, respectively, allowing the study of both the two nodal semimetal states within this system. Furthermore, we illustrate that with proper rational fluxes and hopping parameters, the system can exhibit the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect when the Fermi level lies in the band gaps, which is topologically characterized by one or two nonzero Chern numbers. Our proposed optical-lattice system provides a promising platform for exploring various exotic topological phases in three dimensions.