Polaron physics in ultracold matter

The study of strongly correlated matter is a central focus in quantum many-body physics. Despite the inherent complexity of systems with numerous interacting components and degrees of freedom, such as Fermi liquids and superfluids, these systems can often be described by relatively simple and elegant quasiparticle models. A key example of this is the polaron, which represents a mobile impurity interacting with the low-energy excitations of its host medium. Originally introduced to explain the behavior of electrons in crystals, the concept of polarons has since gained broad relevance across various fields, ranging from condensed matter physics to quantum simulations and computing. Recent experimental advances with neutral ultracold atoms have provided a powerful framework for investigating both Fermi and Bose polarons, where impurity atoms interact with a degenerate Fermi sea or a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC).
In this talk, I will begin by reviewing the recent theoretical and experimental advancements in the quantum simulation of polarons. As a concrete example, I will discuss a recent development arising from the crossroad of cold atoms and ions, with potential applications in quantum technologies. Finally, I will connect this research to established solid-state platforms where quasiparticles also play a significant role, such as polaritons and polarons-polaritons, and explore the remaining open problems in this field.