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arXiv:quant-ph/0005091 · Physical Review Letters

Mesoscopic Quantum Coherence in an Optical Lattice

D. L. Haycock, Paul M. Alsing, Ivan Deutsch, J. Grondalski, Poul Jessen

Published Oct 16, 2000• 66 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We observe the quantum coherent dynamics of atomic spinor wave packets in the double-well potentials of a far-off-resonance optical lattice. With appropriate initial conditions the system Rabi oscillates between the left and right localized states of the ground doublet, and at certain times the wave packet corresponds to a coherent superposition of these mesoscopically distinct quantum states. The atom/optical double-well potential is a flexible and powerful system for further study of quantum coherence, quantum control, and the quantum/classical transition.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.85.3365

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This dissertation reports on the experimental study of coherent wavepacket dynamics of cesium atoms in the double-well potentials of a one-dimensional, far-off-resonance optical lattice. An optical lattice is the periodic potential produced by the light shift interaction of an atom with the light field of interfering laser beams. With the proper choice of laser parameters and external magnetic fields, an array of double-well potentials is created. Using the techniques of laser cooling, atoms are trapped in the lattice and are prepared in a pure state through a combination of enhanced laser cooling in a near-resonance lattice and state selection in an accelerated far-off-resonance lattice. The atoms are prepared on one side of the double-well potential, and the atomic wavepackets will then oscillate between the left and right localized states of the double-well potential. Entanglement between the internal and external degrees of freedom makes it possible to follow the center-of-mass motion of the atoms by measuring the ground state magnetic populations via Stern-Gerlach analysis. The coherent dynamics of these wavepackets was studied under various combinations of lattice parameters such as lattice depth, applied transverse and longitudinal magnetic fields. There is excellent agreement between the experimentally measured oscillation frequencies and those predicted from a numerical analysis of the bandstructure of the lattice. For certain lattice parameters the total energy of the atom is below the potential barrier and the coherent motion corresponds to tunneling through a classically forbidden barrier. At specific times during the oscillation the atomic wavepacket corresponds to a coherent superposition of the mesoscopically distinct left and right localized states.
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We investigate the coherent wave packet dynamics of a two-level atom trapped in a symmetric double-well potential in a near-resonance cavity. Prepared on one side of the double-well potential, the atom wave packet oscillates between the left and right wells, while recoil induced by the emitted photon from the atom entangles the atomic internal and external degrees of freedom. The collapse and revival of the tunneling occurs. Adjusting the width of the wave packets, one can modify the tunneling frequency and suppress the tunneling.
We demonstrate the controlled coherent transport and splitting of atomic wave packets in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials. Such experiments open intriguing possibilities for quantum state engineering of many body states. After first preparing localized atomic wave functions in an optical lattice through a Mott insulating phase, we place each atom in a superposition of two internal spin states. Then state selective optical potentials are used to split the wave function of a single atom and transport the corresponding wave packets in two opposite directions. Coherence between the wave packets of an atom delocalized over up to seven lattice sites is demonstrated.
Summary form only given. The investigation of coherent superposition states for atoms interacting with external potentials allows a completely new class of experiments directed towards coherent trapping and guiding of neutral atoms. In addition, the process of decoherence, i.e., the collapse of superposition states, is one of the basic concepts for our understanding of the connection between classical and quantum physics. We study the creation and decay of superpositions of different components of the center-of-mass wavefunction of rubidium atoms in a one-dimensional near-resonant optical lattice. This makes it possible to gain insight into the dependence of decoherence processes on the coupling of the atoms to the light field. We discuss the dependence of the wave packet oscillations and echoes on experimental parameters (potential depth, light intensity and detuning, time delay, size of the shift, etc.). We compare our experimental results with numerical simulations of the echo effect. The observation of this new effect in the coherent wave packet motion of atoms trapped in optical potentials will allow us to selectively study the decoherence process and measure the decoherence time in regimes where this was previously impossible.