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Decay of Atomic Wave‐Packet Motion in Optical Lattices
Author(s) -
Raithel G.,
Phillips W.D.,
Rolston S.L.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
fortschritte der physik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.469
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1521-3978
pISSN - 0015-8208
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-3978(199811)46:6/8<791::aid-prop791>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - wave packet , physics , dephasing , oscillation (cell signaling) , optical lattice , excited state , lattice (music) , anharmonicity , amplitude , condensed matter physics , atomic physics , quantum mechanics , chemistry , superfluidity , biochemistry , acoustics
We study, experimentally and with quantum Monte‐Carlo wave‐function simulations, the effects of dispersion and dissipation on two types of spatial wave‐packets of atoms in 1D and 3D optical lattices. Breathing‐mode oscillations are excited by suddenly changing the potential depth after equilibration of the atoms at the lattice sites. The subsequent breathing‐mode oscillations are measured using Bragg scattering. The second type of oscillations is prepared by suddenly shifting the lattice, thus exciting coherent‐state‐like wave‐packets. These sloshing‐type oscillations manifest themselves in a periodic photon redistribution between the lattice beams. We measure the resultant intensity exchange, which is a sensitive probe for the wave‐packet evolution. For both types of wave‐packets we observe an initial collapse within about three to six oscillation periods, a fact which we attribute to dephasing of the components of the wave‐packets caused by the anharmonicity of the lattice potential. The initial collapse is followed by revivals of the wave‐packets. Dissipation not only reduces the amplitude of these revivals but also modifies their shape and time of occurrence. In shallow lattices we observe that tunneling of the atoms between neighboring potential wells influences the wave‐packet oscillations.