Experiments in dynamical localization of ultra-cold sodium atoms using time-dependent optical potentials

Martin C. Fischer, Mark G. Raizen

J. H. Huckans, Ian B. Spielman, B. Laburthe-Tolra +2 more

Saadet Burgu, Cem Y uce

C. F. Bharucha, J. C. Robinson, F. L. Moore +3 more

We report a study of atomic motion in time-dependent optical potentials. We measure momentum transfer in parameter regimes for which the classical dynamics are chaotic, and observe the quantum suppression of chaos by dynamical localization. The high degree of control over the experimental parameters enables detailed comparisons with theoretical predictions, and opens new avenues for investigating quantum chaos.

C. Grynberg, J.-Y. Courtois, Brahim Lounis +2 more

Maria Luisa Chiofalo, M. Artoni, Giuseppe Carlo La Rocca

Tunnelling of ultra-cold atoms across a periodically displaced optical barrier exhibits characteristic inelastic effects as well as remarkable transparency at energies for which the same barrier, if stationary, would be opaque. Such phenomena could be observed with sodium Bose-Einstein condensate wavepackets and could be exploited for atom-laser sideband generation.