Premium
An atom optics experiment to investigate faster‐than‐light tunneling
Author(s) -
Steinberg A.M.,
Myrskog S.,
Moon H.S.,
Kim H.A.,
Fox J.,
Kim J.B.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
annalen der physik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1521-3889
pISSN - 0003-3804
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-3889(199812)7:7/8<593::aid-andp593>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - quantum tunnelling , physics , atom (system on chip) , atom optics , optics , quantum mechanics , atomic physics , computer science , embedded system
We describe a series of atom optics experiments underway at Toronto for investigating tunnelling interaction times of various sorts. We begin by discussing some outstanding issues and confusions related to the question of whether or not superluminal tunnelling can be construed as true faster‐than‐light “signal propagation,” a question which we answer in the negative. We then argue that atom optics is an arena ideally suited for addressing a variety of remaining questions about how, where, and for how long a particle interacts with a tunnel barrier. We present recent results on a modified “delta‐kick cooling” scheme which we have used to prepare Rubidium atoms with one‐dimensional de Broglie wavelengths on the order of an optical wavelength, along with simulations showing that from these temperatures, we will be able to use acousto‐optically modulated dipole‐force barriers to velocity‐select ultracold atom samples ideal for future tunnelling experiments.