Transport of atoms in a quantum conveyor belt

Journal Article · Tue Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2005 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.72.0· OSTI ID:20786551

Browaeys, A; Haeffner, H; McKenzie, C; Rolston, S L; Helmerson, K; Phillips, W D ^[1]

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1. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 (United States)

We have performed experiments using a three-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate of sodium atoms in a one-dimensional optical lattice to explore some unusual properties of band structure. In particular, we investigate the loading of a condensate into a moving lattice and find nonintuitive behavior. We also revisit the behavior of atoms, prepared in a single quasimomentum state, in an accelerating lattice. We generalize this study to a cloud whose atoms have a large quasimomentum spread, and show that the cloud behaves differently from atoms in a single Bloch state. Finally, we compare our findings with recent experiments performed with fermions in an optical lattice.

• OSTI ID: 20786551
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 72, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.72.053605; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ATOMS
BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
FERMIONS
OPTICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RADIATION PRESSURE
SODIUM