Observation of Temporal Behavior of an Atomic Wave Packet Localized in an Optical Potential

Kozuma, Mikio; Nakagawa, K.; Jhe, Wonho; Ohtsu, Motoichi

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.76.2428

Cited by 35 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Atoms can be trapped and cooled at the potential minima (mean position spread z rms =λ/18 [5]). In optical lattices symmetrically and asymmetrically oscillating motional wave packets can be induced by nonadiabatically changing the lattice potential [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Quantum mechanically, the original atomic wave function is projected onto a coherent superposition of the eigenstates of the new potential and the quantum interference of the contributions from different eigenstates results in a wave packet oscillation (see Fig.…”

Section: 80pj 4250vkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Typically, the effect of dephasing is dominating decoherence [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13], so that a direct determination of the coherence time is not possible. Here, we show how these limitations can be overcome: For the case of symmetrical oscillations, Bulatov et al [14] have recently proposed and numerically simulated an echo-mechanism to reverse the effect of dephasing and stimulate the revival of the wave packet oscillations by means of two successive non-adiabatic changes in the depth of the lattice potential.…”

Section: 80pj 4250vkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wave Packet Echoes in the Motion of Trapped Atoms

et al. 2000

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We experimentally demonstrate and systematically study the stimulated revival (echo) of motional wave packet oscillations. For this purpose, we prepare wave packets in an optical lattice by non-adiabatically shifting the potential and stimulate their reoccurence by a second shift after a variable time delay. This technique, analogous to spin echoes, enables one even in the presence of strong dephasing to determine the coherence time of the wave packets. We find that for strongly bound atoms it is comparable to the cooling time and much longer than the inverse of the photon scattering rate.32.80. Pj, 42.50.Vk The process of decoherence, i.e. the collapse of superposition states due to the dissipative interaction with their environment is one of the basic concepts for our understanding of the connection between classical and quantum physics. In order to study the effect of decoherence unambiguously, one has to be able to distinguish it from other, non-dissipative effects. The macroscopic (i.e. ensemble-or time-averaged) response of a quantum system prepared in a superposition state typically decays not only due to the loss of coherence (homogeneous decay) but also due to dephasing resulting from local variations in the evolution of the quantum system (inhomogeneous decay). In many cases decoherence cannot be studied directly because the inhomogeneous decay is by far the dominating process.This limitation has been overcome in a famous series of experiments by introducing the techniques of spin echo for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and photon echo for optical resonance, respectively [1][2][3]. These techniques are based on the observation that inhomogeneous decay due to dephasing is a reversible process. Thus, by appropriately modifying superposition states at a time ∆t after their preparation, the dephasing can be partially or fully reversed and a stimulated macroscopic response (echo) is induced at 2∆t. This effect enables one to measure the coherence time even in the presence of strong dephasing. We have, for the first time, applied this method to the investigation of the decoherence of motional wave packets of trapped atoms (Fig. 1). The method can be used independent of the specific experimental realization of the confining potential (e.g. a single dipole potential, periodic dipole potentials, magnetic trapping potentials, inhomogeneous arrays of atom traps, etc.).The specific system investigated here consists of motional wave packets of neutral atoms in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Optical lattices are periodic dipole potentials for atoms created by the interference of multiple laser beams [4]. Atoms can be trapped and cooled at the potential minima (mean position spread z rms =λ/18[5]). In optical lattices symmetrically and asymmetrically oscillating motional wave packets can be induced by nonadiabatically changing the lattice potential [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Quantum mechanically, the original atomic wave function is projected onto a coherent superposition of the eigenstates of the new potential a...

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Section: 80pj 4250vkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: 80pj 4250vkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wave Packet Echoes in the Motion of Trapped Atoms

et al. 2000

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“…We believe this difference to be due to the variation from linearity of the actual time dependent potential change, although this explanation is still under investigation. This reconstruction is typical of our data and underlines the point that our fluorescence detection technique is a direct measure of R jc͑x, t͒j 2 R͑x͒dx as compared to other probes such as Bragg diffraction [21,22] or time resolved recoil induced resonance spectroscopy [4]. However, our calculations show that near resonance there is one practical restriction: if the experiment is repeated by decreasing T osc ͞2 from 3.1 to 1.4 ms, essentially no modulation of the fluorescence is predicted, and none was observed.…”

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confidence: 83%

“…To date, such wave packets have been been observed [4] and have been used to study interesting problems in quantum chaos [5] as well as Bloch oscillations [6] and Wannier-Stark ladders [7]. In each of these experiments, the atomic wave packet motion was induced by a translation of U͑x͒.…”

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confidence: 99%

Fluorescence Investigation of Parametrically Excited Motional Wave Packets in Optical Lattices

1997

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We have used parametric excitation and time resolved fluorescence detection to investigate the coherent control of center-of-mass wave packets for atoms confined in an optical lattice. We have demonstrated the ability to manipulate the atomic wave packet motion using temporal variations of the lattice potential, and our results are in excellent agreement with a single atom model based on a solution of the Heisenberg equations of motion. [S0031-9007(97)

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“…Groups in Japan, at NISI, in Munich and our group at Rochester [16], have also been using optical lattices to explore another interesting problem: the quantum control of center-of-mass wave packet motion in the optical lattice. In these experiments we have taken advantage of the fact that the potential wells which bind the atoms in the lattice can be manipulated rapidly and with great precision.…”

Section: Parametric Excitation Of Motional Wave Packets In An Opticalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Control of Motional States of Neutral Atoms: Exploiting the External Degrees of Freedom

et al. 1998

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As research in quantum optics has advanced, so too has our ability to precisely tailor the quantum state of a system. Indeed, techniques for quantum state preparation have become sufficiently advanced that an entire subfield has appeared which has been given the name "quantum control".. Parallel to these advances have been other striking developments in quantum optics, in particular, laser cooling and trapping of nentral atoms. In this paper we describe some of the recent advancements in laser cooling, particularly in our laboratories, and point out that laser cooling and trapping is also realizing an important form of quantum control. In laser cooling, instead of exercising control over the internal quantum state of an atom or molecule or a laser field, we are instead controlling a complementary set of degrees of freedom: those of the external coordinates of the atom.

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Observation of Temporal Behavior of an Atomic Wave Packet Localized in an Optical Potential

Cited by 35 publications

References 11 publications

Wave Packet Echoes in the Motion of Trapped Atoms

Wave Packet Echoes in the Motion of Trapped Atoms

Fluorescence Investigation of Parametrically Excited Motional Wave Packets in Optical Lattices

Quantum Control of Motional States of Neutral Atoms: Exploiting the External Degrees of Freedom

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