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arXiv:physics/0212015 · Physical Review Letters

Experimental Observation of High-Order Quantum Accelerator Modes

S. Schlunk, M. B. d’Arcy, S. A. Gardiner, G. S. Summy

Published Mar 27, 2003• 59 citations
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Abstract

Using a freely falling cloud of cold cesium atoms periodically kicked by pulses from a vertical standing wave of laser light, we present the first experimental observation of high-order quantum accelerator modes. This confirms the recent prediction by Fishman, Guarneri, and Rebuzzini [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 084101 (2002)]]. We also show how these accelerator modes can be identified with the stable regions of phase space in a classical-like chaotic system, despite their intrinsically quantum origin.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.90.124102

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Using a freely falling cloud of cold cesium atoms periodically kicked by pulses from a vertical standing wave of laser light, we present the first experimental observation of high-order quantum accelerator modes. This confirms the recent prediction by Fishman, Guarneri, and Rebuzzini [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 084101 (2002)]]. We also show how these accelerator modes can be identified with the stable regions of phase space in a classical-like chaotic system, despite their intrinsically quantum origin.
This thesis presents an account of experimental and numerical investigations of two quantum systems whose respective classical analogues are chaotic. These are the delta-kicked rotor, a paradigm in classical chaos theory, and the novel delta-kicked accelerator, created by application of a constant external acceleration or torque to the rotor. The experimental realisation of these systems has been achieved by the exposure of laser-cooled caesium atoms to approximate delta-kicks from a pulsed, high-intensity, vertical standing wave of laser light. Gravity’s effect on the atoms can be controlled by appropriate shifting of the profile of the standing wave. Numerical simulations of the systems are based on a diffractive model of the potential’s effect. Each system’s dynamics are characterised by the final form of the momentum distribution and the dependence of the atoms’ mean kinetic energy on the number and time period of the delta-kicks. The phenomena of dynamical localisation and quantum resonances in the delta-kicked rotor, which have no counterparts in the system’s classical analogue, are observed and investigated. Similar experiments on the delta-kicked accelerator reveal the striking phenomenon of the quantum accelerator mode, in which a large momentum is transferred to a substantial fraction of the atomic ensemble. This feature, absent in the system’s classical analogue, is characterised and an analytic explanation is presented. The effect on each quantum system of decoherence, introduced through spontaneous emission in the atoms, is examined and comparison is made with the results of classical simulations. While having little effect on the classical systems, the level of decoherence used is found to degrade quantum signatures of behaviour. Classical-like behaviour is, to some extent, restored, although significant quantum features remain. Possible applications of the quantum accelerator mode are discussed. These include use as a tool in atom optics and interferometry, a technique for measuring gravity, and a method of preparing atoms in a particular region of phase space. This may allow measurement of quantum phase space stability, and hence investigation of quantum chaos and quantum-classical correspondence.
We discuss recent experimental and theoretical investigations of quantum dynamics in periodically kicked chaotic systems. These investigations are centred on a modified version of the classic δ-kicked rotor, as realized using laser-cooled caesium atoms. Dramatic phenomena, principally quantum accelerator modes, have been observed and these have inspired novel theoretical approaches to quantum chaos. The latter work has, in turn, prompted further experiments and the combined experimental and theoretical effort continues to lead to exciting advances in this field.
We investigate the creation mechanism of quantum accelerator modes which are attributed to the existence of the stability islands in an underlying pseudoclassical phase space of the quantum delta-kicked accelerator. Quantum accelerator modes can be created by exposing a Bose-Einstein condensate to a pulsed standing light wave. We show that constructive interference between momentum states populated by the pulsed light determines the stability island's existence in the underlying pseudoclassical phase space. We generalize this interference model to incorporate higher-order accelerator modes, showing that they are generated if the rephasing occurs after multiple pulses. The model is extended to predict the momentum structure of the quantum accelerator modes close to higher-order quantum resonances. These predictions are in good agreement with our experimental observations.
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