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Title: Asymmetric double-well potential for single-atom interferometry

Abstract

We consider the evolution of a single-atom wave function in a time-dependent double-well interferometer in the presence of a spatially asymmetric potential. We examine a case where a single trapping potential is split into an asymmetric double well and then recombined again. The interferometer involves a measurement of the first excited state population as a sensitive measure of the asymmetric potential. Based on a two-mode approximation a Bloch vector model provides a simple and satisfactory description of the dynamical evolution. We discuss the roles of adiabaticity and asymmetry in the double-well interferometer. The Bloch model allows us to account for the effects of asymmetry on the excited state population throughout the interferometric process and to choose the appropriate splitting, holding, and recombination periods in order to maximize the output signal. We also compare the outcomes of the Bloch vector model with the results of numerical simulations of the multistate time-dependent Schroedinger equation.

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics and Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria 3122 (Australia)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
20853109
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physical Review. A
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 74; Journal Issue: 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.74.023612; (c) 2006 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS; 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; APPROXIMATIONS; ASYMMETRY; ATOMS; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; EXCITED STATES; INTERFEROMETERS; INTERFEROMETRY; POTENTIALS; RECOMBINATION; SCHROEDINGER EQUATION; TIME DEPENDENCE; TRAPPING; VECTORS; WAVE FUNCTIONS

Citation Formats

Sidorov, A I, Dalton, B J, Whitlock, S M, and Scharnberg, F. Asymmetric double-well potential for single-atom interferometry. United States: N. p., 2006. Web. doi:10.1103/PHYSREVA.74.023612.
Sidorov, A I, Dalton, B J, Whitlock, S M, & Scharnberg, F. Asymmetric double-well potential for single-atom interferometry. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.74.023612
Sidorov, A I, Dalton, B J, Whitlock, S M, and Scharnberg, F. 2006. "Asymmetric double-well potential for single-atom interferometry". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.74.023612.
@article{osti_20853109,
title = {Asymmetric double-well potential for single-atom interferometry},
author = {Sidorov, A I and Dalton, B J and Whitlock, S M and Scharnberg, F},
abstractNote = {We consider the evolution of a single-atom wave function in a time-dependent double-well interferometer in the presence of a spatially asymmetric potential. We examine a case where a single trapping potential is split into an asymmetric double well and then recombined again. The interferometer involves a measurement of the first excited state population as a sensitive measure of the asymmetric potential. Based on a two-mode approximation a Bloch vector model provides a simple and satisfactory description of the dynamical evolution. We discuss the roles of adiabaticity and asymmetry in the double-well interferometer. The Bloch model allows us to account for the effects of asymmetry on the excited state population throughout the interferometric process and to choose the appropriate splitting, holding, and recombination periods in order to maximize the output signal. We also compare the outcomes of the Bloch vector model with the results of numerical simulations of the multistate time-dependent Schroedinger equation.},
doi = {10.1103/PHYSREVA.74.023612},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/20853109}, journal = {Physical Review. A},
issn = {1050-2947},
number = 2,
volume = 74,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006},
month = {Tue Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006}
}