Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Atom diode: A laser device for a unidirectional transmission of ground-state atoms

A. Ruschhaupt, Juan Gonzalo Muga

Published Dec 29, 2004• 78 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An atom diode, i.e., a device that lets the ground-state atom pass in one direction but not in the opposite direction in a velocity range, is devised. It is based on the adiabatic transfer achieved with two lasers and a third laser potential that reflects the ground state.
DOI
10.1103/physreva.70.061604

Related papers

An atom diode

A. Ruschhaupt, Juan Gonzalo Muga

An atom diode, i.e., a device that lets the ground state atom pass in one direction but not in the opposite direction in a velocity range is devised. It is based on the adiabatic transfer achieved with two lasers and a third laser potential that reflects the ground state.

arXiv:quant-ph/0408133•Aug 20, 2004•0 citations

Atom diode: Variants, stability, limits, and adiabatic interpretation

A. Ruschhaupt, Juan Gonzalo Muga

We examine and explain the stability properties of the ``atom diode'', a laser device that lets the ground state atom pass in one direction but not in the opposite direction. The diodic behavior and the variants that result by using different laser configurations may be understood with an adiabatic approximation. The conditions to break down the approximation, which imply also the diode failure, are analyzed.

arXiv:quant-ph/0505189•May 25, 2005•0 citations

Adiabatic interpretation of a two-level atom diode, a laser device for unidirectional transmission of ground-state atoms

A. Ruschhaupt, Juan Gonzalo Muga

We present a generalized two-level scheme for an ``atom diode,'' namely, a laser device that lets a two-level ground-state atom pass in one direction, say from left to right, but not in the opposite direction. The laser field is composed of two lateral state-selective mirror regions and a central pumping region. We demonstrate the robustness of the scheme and propose a physical realization. It is shown that the inclusion of a counterintuitive laser field blocking the excited atoms on the left side of the device is essential for a perfect diode effect. The reason for this, the diodic behavior, and the robustness may be understood with an adiabatic approximation. The conditions to break down the approximation, which imply also the diode failure, are analyzed.

Physical Review A•Jan 10, 2006•29 citations

Three-dimensional effects in atom diodes: Atom-optical devices for one-way motion

A. Ruschhaupt, Juan Gonzalo Muga

The atom diode is a laser device that lets the ground-state atom pass in one direction but not in the opposite direction. We examine three-dimensional effects of that device for arbitrary atomic incidence angles on flat laser sheets, and set breakdown limiting angles and velocities. It is found that a correct diodic behavior, independent of the incident angle, can be obtained with blue-detuned lasers.

arXiv:0704.0606•Physical Review A•Jul 18, 2007•20 citations

Improvement by laser quenching of an ‘atom diode’: a one-way barrier for ultra-cold atoms

A. Ruschhaupt, Juan Gonzalo Muga, Mark G. Raizen

Different laser devices working as ``atom diodes'' or ``one-way barriers'' for ultra-cold atoms have been proposed recently. They transmit ground state level atoms coming from one side, say from the left, but reflect them when they come from the other side. We combine a previous model, consisting of the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) from the ground to an excited state and a state-selective mirror potential, with a localized quenching laser which produces spontaneous decay back to the ground state. This avoids backwards motion, provides more control of the decay process and therefore a more compact and useful device.

arXiv:quant-ph/0601213•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Feb 27, 2006•23 citations

Trapping and cooling particles using a moving atom diode and an atomic mirror

Tom Dowdall, A. Ruschhaupt

We propose a theoretical scheme for atomic cooling, i.e., the compression of both velocity and position distribution of particles in motion. This is achieved by collisions of the particles with a combination of a moving atomic mirror and a moving atom diode. An atom diode is a unidirectional barrier, i.e., an optical device through which an atom can pass in one direction only. We show that the efficiency of the scheme depends on the trajectory of the diode and the mirror. We examine both the classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of the scheme, along with the numerical simulations to show the efficiency in each case.

arXiv:1711.01093•Physical Review A•Jan 17, 2018•0 citations
We present a generalized two-level scheme for an ``atom diode,'' namely, a laser device that lets a two-level ground-state atom pass in one direction, say from left to right, but not in the opposite direction. The laser field is composed of two lateral state-selective mirror regions and a central pumping region. We demonstrate the robustness of the scheme and propose a physical realization. It is shown that the inclusion of a counterintuitive laser field blocking the excited atoms on the left side of the device is essential for a perfect diode effect. The reason for this, the diodic behavior, and the robustness may be understood with an adiabatic approximation. The conditions to break down the approximation, which imply also the diode failure, are analyzed.
Different laser devices working as ``atom diodes'' or ``one-way barriers'' for ultra-cold atoms have been proposed recently. They transmit ground state level atoms coming from one side, say from the left, but reflect them when they come from the other side. We combine a previous model, consisting of the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) from the ground to an excited state and a state-selective mirror potential, with a localized quenching laser which produces spontaneous decay back to the ground state. This avoids backwards motion, provides more control of the decay process and therefore a more compact and useful device.
We propose a theoretical scheme for atomic cooling, i.e., the compression of both velocity and position distribution of particles in motion. This is achieved by collisions of the particles with a combination of a moving atomic mirror and a moving atom diode. An atom diode is a unidirectional barrier, i.e., an optical device through which an atom can pass in one direction only. We show that the efficiency of the scheme depends on the trajectory of the diode and the mirror. We examine both the classical and quantum mechanical descriptions of the scheme, along with the numerical simulations to show the efficiency in each case.