A possible experimental realization of a quantum analogue of Newton's cradle is proposed starting from a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms with two internal states, say 0 and 1. They are trapped in a one-dimensional tube with a superimposed periodic potential. Inducing a strong repulsion (Tonks-Girardeau regime) the lattice wells can contain one atom only and the dynamics is ruled by the second-order process of the exchange between neighboring 0- and 1-atoms. Assuming an initial state made of 0-atoms, a 1-atom injected in the chain tunnels back and forth between its ends. The phenomenon of dispersion can rapidly deteriorate a perfect propagation, but with slight modifications of the setup it is possible to obtain a quasi-ideal quantum cradle.
How cold atoms could realize a quantum Newton cradle
Ruggero Vaia;Roberto Franzosi
2014
Abstract
A possible experimental realization of a quantum analogue of Newton's cradle is proposed starting from a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms with two internal states, say 0 and 1. They are trapped in a one-dimensional tube with a superimposed periodic potential. Inducing a strong repulsion (Tonks-Girardeau regime) the lattice wells can contain one atom only and the dynamics is ruled by the second-order process of the exchange between neighboring 0- and 1-atoms. Assuming an initial state made of 0-atoms, a 1-atom injected in the chain tunnels back and forth between its ends. The phenomenon of dispersion can rapidly deteriorate a perfect propagation, but with slight modifications of the setup it is possible to obtain a quasi-ideal quantum cradle.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
