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Adiabaticity and localization in one-dimensional incommensurate lattices
E E Edwards1, M Beeler, Tao Hong
1Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics, University of Maryland, National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|May 14, 2009
Summary
Weak lattice perturbations significantly hinder adiabatic loading of Bose-Einstein condensates. Even minor changes dramatically alter momentum distribution, complicating condensate loading into optical potentials.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Atomic physics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are quantum states of matter.
- Adiabatic loading is crucial for preparing BECs in desired potentials.
- Optical lattices provide controllable potentials for BECs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the effect of localization on adiabatic loading of BECs.
- To understand how perturbing lattices influence BEC loading into optical potentials.
- To explore the role of incommensurate lattice periods.
Main Methods:
- Experimental loading of BECs into a 1D optical potential.
- Utilizing a primary shallow lattice with one or two perturbing incommensurate lattices.
- Analyzing momentum distributions of the condensate.
- Interpreting results with a band-structure model and 1D Gross-Pitaevskii equation.
Main Results:
- Even weak lattice perturbations cause significant changes in BEC momentum distribution.
- Adiabatic loading becomes substantially more difficult with perturbing lattices compared to a single lattice.
- Localization effects are pronounced even with shallow potentials.
Conclusions:
- Perturbing lattices introduce localization that impedes adiabatic loading of BECs.
- The findings highlight the sensitivity of BEC loading to lattice potential details.
- Band-structure and Gross-Pitaevskii models effectively explain the observed phenomena.
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