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

Contemporary Physics

Nonlinear atom optics

Brian P. Anderson, Pierre Meystre

Published Nov 1, 2003• 16 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The availability of coherent matter waves from Bose-Einstein condensates had led to the extension of atom optics from the linear to the nonlinear regime, in analogy with the developments in optics following the invention of the laser. We provide a tutorial introduction to this emerging field, emphasizing the role of collisions as a “nonlinear medium” in the focusing and defocusing of matter waves, the launching of atomic solitons, the generation of vortices, and the demonstration of four-wave mixing both among matter waves and between optical and matter waves.

DOI
10.1080/00107510310001608863

Related papers

Nonlinear atom optics: four-wave mixing

Y. B. Band, Marek Trippenbach, Paul S. Julienne

The advent of the laser as an intense, coherent light source gave birth to nonlinear optics, which now plays an important role in many areas of science and technology. One of the first applications of nonlinear optics was the production of coherent light of a new frequency by multi-wave mixing of several optical fields in a nonlinear medium. Until the experimental realization of Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) there had been no intense coherent source of matter-waves analogous to the optical laser. BEC has already been exploited to produce a matter-wave 'laser' atom optics was reported: the observation of coherent four wave mixing in which three sodium matter waves mix to produce a fourth. The experiment utilized light pulses to create two high-momentum wavepackets via Bragg diffraction from a stationary Bose- Einstein condensate. The high-momentum components and the remaining zero momentum condensate component interact to form a new momentum component due to the nonlinear self- interaction of the bosonic atoms. We develop a quantum mechanical description, based on the slowly-varying-envelope approximation to the time-dependent nonlinear Schroedinger equation, to describe four-wave mixing in Bose-Einstein condensates and apply this description to understand the experimental observations and to make new predictions. We examine the role of phase-modulation, momentum and energy conservation, and particle number conservation in four-wave mixing of matter waves.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Mar 23, 2000•0 citations

Non-linear atom optics: solitons and four-wave-mixing in a Bose-Einstein condensate

J.E. Simsarian, Y. Band, C.W. Clark +14 more

With the discovery of Bose-Einstein condensation we now have a dense source of coherent matter-waves which has made possible the observation of solitons and four-wave mixing. Both are manifestations of nonlinear atom optics.

Nonlinear Optics: Materials, Fundamentals, and Applications. Technical Digest. Postconference Edition. TOPS Vol.46 (IEEE Cat. No.00CH37174)•Nov 8, 2002•0 citations

Non-linear atom optics: solitons and four-wave-mixing in a Bose-Einstein condensate

J. E. Simsarian, Y. B. Band, Charles W. Clark +14 more

With the discovery of Bose-Einstein condensation we now have a dense source of coherent matter-waves which has made possible the observation of solitons and four-wave mixing. Both are manifestations of nonlinear atom optics.

Nonlinear Optics•Jan 1, 2000•0 citations

Nonlinear atom optics: four-wave mixing

Y. B. Band, Marek Trippenbach, Paul S. Julienne

The advent of the laser as an intense, coherent light source gave birth to nonlinear optics, which now plays an important role in many areas of science and technology. One of the first applications of nonlinear optics was the production of coherent light of a new frequency by multi-wave mixing of several optical fields in a nonlinear medium. Until the experimental realization of Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) there had been no intense coherent source of matter-waves analogous to the optical laser. FEC has already been exploited to produce a matter-wave `laser' leading to the threshold of a new field of physics: nonlinear atom optics. Recently the first experiment in nonlinear atom optics was reported: the observation of coherent four wave mixing in which three sodium matter waves mix to produce a fourth. The experiment utilized light pulses to create two high-momentum wavepackets via Bragg diffraction from a stationary Bose- Einstein condensate. The high-momentum components and the remaining zero momentum condensate component interact to form a new momentum component due to the nonlinear self- interaction of the bosonic atoms. We develop a quantum mechanical description, based on the slowly-varying-envelope approximation to the time-dependent nonlinear Schrodinger equation (also called the Gross-Pitaevskii equation), to describe four-wave mixing in Bose-Einstein condensates and apply this description to understand the experimental observations and to make new predictions. We examine the role of phase-modulation, momentum and energy conservation (i.e., phase-matching), and particle number conservation in four-wave mixing of matter waves.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Apr 14, 2000•0 citations

Physics with coherent matter waves

Kai Bongs, Klaus Sengstock

This review discusses progress in the new field of coherent matter waves, in particular with respect to Bose-Einstein condensates. We give a short introduction to Bose-Einstein condensation and the theoretical description of the condensate wavefunction. We concentrate on the coherence properties of this new type of matter wave as a basis for fundamental physics and applications. The main part of this review treats various measurements and concepts in the physics with coherent matter waves. In particular we present phase manipulation methods, atom lasers, nonlinear atom optics, optical elements, interferometry and physics in optical lattices. We give an overview of the state of the art in the respective fields and discuss achievements and challenges for the future.

arXiv:cond-mat/0403128•Reports on Progress in Physics•May 15, 2004•186 citations

Vortices and Solitons in Bose-Condensates

P. D. Drummond

The new science of nonlinear atom optics and atom lasers is evolving rapidly. There are similarities between many related areas in modern photonic and atom optics, particularly at the mean-field level. In both cases we can often use classical nonlinear wave equations to describe classical solitons, vortices, and other nonlinear structure. Atom-molecular coupling can be used to play the role of second-harmonic generation. This leads to novel types of soliton. In addition, quantum effects at low densities are likely to be readily observable.

Modern Physics Letters B•Sep 1, 2000•2 citations
The availability of coherent matter waves from Bose-Einstein condensates had led to the extension of atom optics from the linear to the nonlinear regime, in analogy with the developments in optics following the invention of the laser. We provide a tutorial introduction to this emerging field, emphasizing the role of collisions as a “nonlinear medium” in the focusing and defocusing of matter waves, the launching of atomic solitons, the generation of vortices, and the demonstration of four-wave mixing both among matter waves and between optical and matter waves.
The advent of the laser as an intense, coherent light source gave birth to nonlinear optics, which now plays an important role in many areas of science and technology. One of the first applications of nonlinear optics was the production of coherent light of a new frequency by multi-wave mixing of several optical fields in a nonlinear medium. Until the experimental realization of Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) there had been no intense coherent source of matter-waves analogous to the optical laser. BEC has already been exploited to produce a matter-wave 'laser' atom optics was reported: the observation of coherent four wave mixing in which three sodium matter waves mix to produce a fourth. The experiment utilized light pulses to create two high-momentum wavepackets via Bragg diffraction from a stationary Bose- Einstein condensate. The high-momentum components and the remaining zero momentum condensate component interact to form a new momentum component due to the nonlinear self- interaction of the bosonic atoms. We develop a quantum mechanical description, based on the slowly-varying-envelope approximation to the time-dependent nonlinear Schroedinger equation, to describe four-wave mixing in Bose-Einstein condensates and apply this description to understand the experimental observations and to make new predictions. We examine the role of phase-modulation, momentum and energy conservation, and particle number conservation in four-wave mixing of matter waves.
The advent of the laser as an intense, coherent light source gave birth to nonlinear optics, which now plays an important role in many areas of science and technology. One of the first applications of nonlinear optics was the production of coherent light of a new frequency by multi-wave mixing of several optical fields in a nonlinear medium. Until the experimental realization of Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) there had been no intense coherent source of matter-waves analogous to the optical laser. FEC has already been exploited to produce a matter-wave `laser' leading to the threshold of a new field of physics: nonlinear atom optics. Recently the first experiment in nonlinear atom optics was reported: the observation of coherent four wave mixing in which three sodium matter waves mix to produce a fourth. The experiment utilized light pulses to create two high-momentum wavepackets via Bragg diffraction from a stationary Bose- Einstein condensate. The high-momentum components and the remaining zero momentum condensate component interact to form a new momentum component due to the nonlinear self- interaction of the bosonic atoms. We develop a quantum mechanical description, based on the slowly-varying-envelope approximation to the time-dependent nonlinear Schrodinger equation (also called the Gross-Pitaevskii equation), to describe four-wave mixing in Bose-Einstein condensates and apply this description to understand the experimental observations and to make new predictions. We examine the role of phase-modulation, momentum and energy conservation (i.e., phase-matching), and particle number conservation in four-wave mixing of matter waves.
This review discusses progress in the new field of coherent matter waves, in particular with respect to Bose-Einstein condensates. We give a short introduction to Bose-Einstein condensation and the theoretical description of the condensate wavefunction. We concentrate on the coherence properties of this new type of matter wave as a basis for fundamental physics and applications. The main part of this review treats various measurements and concepts in the physics with coherent matter waves. In particular we present phase manipulation methods, atom lasers, nonlinear atom optics, optical elements, interferometry and physics in optical lattices. We give an overview of the state of the art in the respective fields and discuss achievements and challenges for the future.
The new science of nonlinear atom optics and atom lasers is evolving rapidly. There are similarities between many related areas in modern photonic and atom optics, particularly at the mean-field level. In both cases we can often use classical nonlinear wave equations to describe classical solitons, vortices, and other nonlinear structure. Atom-molecular coupling can be used to play the role of second-harmonic generation. This leads to novel types of soliton. In addition, quantum effects at low densities are likely to be readily observable.