Dynamics of Atoms in Optical Lattices

Raithel, Birkl, Phillips +1 more

Chengyin Han, Min Zhou, Xiaohang Zhang +6 more

The ultracold atoms served as quantum references is a key part of optical lattice clocks, and the thermal dynamics of the atoms in the optical lattice affects the uncertainty and stability of the lattice clocks. Since the carrier spectrum of clock transition in lattices reflects the thermal dynamics of cold atoms, we can obtain the temperature of atoms by measuring the carrier spectrum in171Yb optical lattice clocks. Furthermore we find that the temperatures obtained from the carrier spectra are in a good agreement with the results obtained by using methods of time-of-flight and thermometry based on sideband spectrum. In addition, we study the heating effects caused by the lattice laser in ytterbium optical lattice clocks.

Chang Jae Lee

Optical lattices have been used for focusing atomic beams to produce arrays of parallel nanowires and nanodots. Atomic dynamics in optical lattice lenses can be treated with either a method analogous to classical ray‐optics or wave mechanics. In this article, we investigate the dynamics by treating atoms quantum mechanically, moving in semiclassical optical lattices. The goal is to provide general conditions for achieving optimal atom focusing. Effects of experimental parameters such as detuning, laser power, and atom–lattice interaction time, and the shape of the optical lattice potentials on atom focusing are studied. Based on these analyses, strategies for achieving optimal atom focusing are provided.

Georg A. Raithel, G. Birkl, William D. Phillips +1 more

Gian‐Luca Oppo, Roberto Franzosi, Roberto Livi

A technique, based on boundary dissipation, capable to localise and probe the breather dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) in optical lattices is described. Numerical simulations of BEC in optical lattices with atomic losses at the trap ends are presented and the dynamical evolution of the atomic density starting from a uniform filling the lattice. The utilization of atomic losses at the boundaries to probe the dynamics of the localized structures inside the lattice is investigated.

T. HANSCH and A. HEMMERIC A. GORLITZ