Observing Zitterbewegung with ultracold atoms

We propose an optical lattice scheme which would permit the experimental observation of Zitterbewegung (ZB) with ultracold, neutral atoms. A four-level tripod variant of the setup for stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) has previously been proposed for generating non-Abelian gauge fields. Dirac-like Hamiltonians, which exhibit ZB, are simple examples of such non-Abelian gauge fields; we show how a variety of them can arise, and how ZB can be observed, in a tripod system. We predict that the ZB should occur at experimentally accessible frequencies and amplitudes.     

Phoxonic crystals and cavity optomechanics

Phoxonic crystals are dual phononic/photonic crystals exhibiting simultaneously band gaps for both types of excitations. Therefore, they have the ability to confine phonons and photons in the same cavity and in turn allow the enhancement of their interaction. In this paper, we review some of our theoretical works on cavity optomechanical interactions in different types of phoxonic crystals, including two-dimensional, slab, and nanobeam structures. Two mechanisms are behind the phonon–photon interaction, namely the photoelastic and the moving interface effects. Coupling rates of a few MHz are obtained with high-frequency phonons of a few GHz. Finally, we give some preliminary results about the optomechanical interaction when a metallic nanoparticle is introduced into the cavity, giving rise to coupled photon–plasmon modes or, in the case of very small particles, to an enhancement of the electric field at the position of the particle.     

Optical clock with ultracold neutral atoms

We demonstrate how to realize an optical clock with neutral atoms that is competitive to the currently best single ion optical clocks in accuracy and superior in stability. Using ultracold atoms in a Ca optical frequency standard, we show how to reduce the relative uncertainty to below 10(-15). We observed atom interferences for stabilization of the laser to the clock transition with a visibility of 0.36, which is 70% of the ultimate limit achievable with atoms at rest. A novel scheme was applied to detect these atom interferences with the prospect to reach the quantum projection noise limit at an exceptional low instability of 4 x 10(-17) in 1 s.     

Velocity selection for ultracold atoms using mazer action in a bimodal cavity

In this paper, we discuss the velocity selection of ultracold three-level atoms in Λ configuration using a mazer. Our model is the same as discussed by Arun et al. [R. Arun, G.S. Agarwal, M.O. Scully, H. Walther, Phys. Rev. A 62 (2000) 023809] for mazer action in a bimodal cavity. We show that the initial Maxwellian velocity distribution of ultracold atoms can be narrowed due to the presence of resonances in the transmission through dressed-state potential. When the atoms are initially prepared in one of the two lower atomic states then significantly better velocity selectivity is obtained due to the presence of dark states.     

Probing superfluidity of periodically trapped ultracold atoms in a cavity by transmission spectroscopy

We study a system of periodic Bose-condensed atoms coupled to cavity photons using the input-output formalism of [14]. We show for the first time that the cavity will either act as a through-pass Lorentzian filter when the superfluid fraction of the condensate is minimum, or completely reflect the input field when the superfluid fraction is maximum. We show that by monitoring the ratio between the transmitted field and the reflected field, one can estimate the superfluid fraction.     

Bright solitons in ultracold atoms

We review old and recent experimental and theoretical results on bright solitons in Bose–Einstein condensates made of alkali-metal atoms and under external optical confinement. First we deduce the three-dimensional Gross–Pitaevskii equation (3D GPE) from the Dirac–Frenkel action of interacting identical bosons within a time-dependent Hartree approximation. Then we discuss the dimensional reduction of the GPE from 3D to 1D, deriving the 1D GPE and also the 1D nonpolynomial Schrödinger equation (1D NPSE). Finally, we analyze the bright solition solutions of both 1D GPE and 1D NPSE and compare these theoretical predictions with the available experimental data.     

Low-noise detection of ultracold atoms

We have demonstrated a new technique for detecting ultracold atoms. A balanced detection technique was used to reduce laser-induced detection noise in conjunction with modulation-transfer spectroscopy to distinguish cold atoms from a thermal cloud. Using this technique, we have achieved signal-to-noise ratios in excess of 2000:1.     

Scattering models for ultracold atoms

We present a review of scattering models that can be used to describe the low-energy behavior of identical bosonic atoms. In the simplest models, the only degrees of freedom are atoms in the same spin state. More elaborate models have other degrees of freedom, such as atoms in other spin states or diatomic molecules. The parameters of the scattering models are specified by giving the S-wave phase shifts for scattering of atoms in the spin state of primary interest. The models are formulated as local quantum field theories and the renormalization of their coupling constants is determined. Some of the parameters can be constrained by renormalizability or by the absence of negative-norm states. The Green’s functions that describe the evolution of two-atom states are determined analytically. They are used to determine the T-matrix elements for atom-atom scattering and the binding energies of diatomic molecules. The scattering models all exhibit universal behavior as the scattering length in a specific spin state becomes large.     

Tunable superfluidity and quantum magnetism with ultracold polar molecules

By selecting two dressed rotational states of ultracold polar molecules in an optical lattice, we obtain a highly tunable generalization of the t-J model, which we refer to as the t-J-V-W model. In addition to XXZ spin exchange, the model features density-density interactions and density-spin interactions; all interactions are dipolar. We show that full control of all interaction parameters in both magnitude and sign can be achieved independently of each other and of the tunneling. As a first step towards demonstrating the potential of the system, we apply the density matrix renormalization group method to obtain the 1D phase diagram of the simplest experimentally realizable case. Specifically, we show that the tunability and the long-range nature of the interactions in the t-J-V-W model enable enhanced superfluidity. Finally, we show that Bloch oscillations in a tilted lattice can be used to probe the phase diagram experimentally.     

Deformable two-dimensional photonic crystal slab for cavity optomechanics

We have designed photonic crystal suspended membranes with optimized optical and mechanical properties for cavity optomechanics. Such resonators sustain vibration modes in the megahertz range with quality factors of a few thousand. Thanks to a two-dimensional square lattice of holes, their reflectivity at normal incidence at 1064?nm reaches values as high as 95%. These two features, combined with the very low mass of the membrane, open the way to the use of such periodic structures as deformable end mirrors in Fabry-Perot cavities for the investigation of cavity optomechanical effects.     

Functional integral for ultracold fermionic atoms

We develop a functional integral formalism for ultracold gases of fermionic atoms. It describes the BEC–BCS crossover and involves both atom and molecule fields. Beyond mean field theory we include the fluctuations of the molecule field by the solution of gap equations. In the BEC limit, we find that the low temperature behavior is described by a Bogoliubov theory for bosons. For a narrow Feshbach resonance these bosons can be associated with microscopic molecules. In contrast, for a broad resonance the interaction between the atoms is approximately pointlike and microscopic molecules are irrelevant. The bosons represent now correlated atom pairs or composite “dressed molecules”. The low temperature results agree with quantum Monte Carlo simulations. Our formalism can treat with general inhomogeneous situations in a trap. For not too strong inhomogeneities the detailed properties of the trap are not needed for the computation of the fluctuation effects—they enter only in the solutions of the field equations.     

Controlling collisions of ultracold atoms with dc electric fields

It is demonstrated that elastic collisions of ultracold atoms forming a heteronuclear collision complex can be manipulated by laboratory practicable dc electric fields. The mechanism of electric field control is based on the interaction of the instantaneous dipole moment of the collision pair with external electric fields. It is shown that this interaction is dramatically enhanced in the presence of a p-wave shape or Feshbach scattering resonance near the collision threshold, which leads to novel electric-field-induced Feshbach resonances.     

Magnetic trapping of ultracold Rydberg atoms

We investigate the quantum dynamics of ultracold Rydberg atoms being exposed to a magnetic quadrupole field. A Hamiltonian describing the coupled dynamics of the electronic and center of mass motion is derived. Employing an adiabatic approach, the potential energy surfaces for intra-n-manifold mixing are computed. By determining the quantum states of the center of mass motion, we demonstrate that trapped states can be achieved if the total angular momentum of the atom is sufficiently large. This holds even if the extension of the electronic Rydberg state becomes equal to or even exceeds that of the ultracold center of mass motion.     

Recombination of three ultracold fermionic atoms

Three-body recombination of identical, spin-polarized fermionic atoms in the ultracold limit is investigated using model interactions. The mechanisms for recombination are parametrized by the "scattering volume" V(p) and described in the framework of the adiabatic hyperspherical representation. We have calculated the recombination rate K3 as a function of V(p) and have found K3 proportional, variant |V(p)|(8/3) for small |V(p)|. Recombination near a two-body Feshbach resonance can thus be significant.