Versatile Element for Free-Space Dividing and Redirecting Neutral Atom Clouds

Abstract

We introduce a tunnel lock that can be exploited to divide, delay and alter the direction of traveling clouds of cold atoms. This versatile free-space element is implemented by crossing two atom tunnels formed by low intensity, blue-detuned dark-hollow (Bessel mode) laser beams. We show that clouds of cold 87Rb atoms initially moving within one tunnel can be transferred to the other by gating the intensities of the two tunnels - a tunnel lock - with an efficiency limited by the overlap volume. The element also can be used to divide a single cloud into smaller clouds each having a distinct momentum.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 28, 2005
Accession Number
ADA448030

Entities

People

  • I. V. Arakelyan
  • N. Chattrapiban
  • S. Mitra
  • W. T. Hill

Organizations

  • University of Maryland

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bose Einstein Condensates
  • Crossings
  • Delay Lines
  • Detuning
  • Diameters
  • Efficiency
  • Intensity
  • Laser Beams
  • Lasers
  • Magnetic Moments
  • Magneto Optical Traps
  • Military Research
  • Momentum
  • Quantum Computing
  • Scattering
  • Sequences
  • Shape

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster