Spin-charge separation in ultracold quantum gases.

We investigate the physical properties of quasi-1D quantum gases of fermionic atoms confined in harmonic traps. Using the fact that for a homogeneous gas the low-energy properties are exactly described by a Luttinger model, we analyze the nature and manifestations of spin-charge separation, where in the case of atoms "spin" and "charge" refer to two internal atomic states and the atomic mass density, respectively. We discuss the necessary physical conditions and experimental limitations confronting possible experimental implementations.