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Published on: March 30, 2017
Tunable Nonreciprocal Quantum Transport through a Dissipative Aharonov-Bohm Ring in Ultracold Atoms
Wei Gou1, Tao Chen1, Dizhou Xie1
1Interdisciplinary Center of Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, and Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Device of Physics Department, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Researchers observed tunable, nonreciprocal quantum transport in Bose-Einstein condensates using a dissipative Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring. This demonstrates directional atom flow controlled by synthetic magnetic flux and laser-induced loss.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Atomic physics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are quantum states of matter.
- Nonreciprocal quantum transport is crucial for quantum devices.
- Controlling quantum transport in synthetic systems is an active research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally observe tunable, nonreciprocal quantum transport in a Bose-Einstein condensate.
- To investigate the role of a dissipative Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring in momentum space.
- To demonstrate control over directional atom flow using tunable parameters.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a dissipative Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring in momentum space.
- Propagating Bose-Einstein condensate atoms through the ring.
- Measuring the momentum distribution of the condensate over time.
- Tuning synthetic magnetic flux and laser-induced loss parameters.
Main Results:
- Experimental observation of tunable, nonreciprocal quantum transport in a BEC.
- Demonstration of directional atom flow.
- Sensitive dependence of transport direction and rate on synthetic flux and laser loss.
- Nonreciprocity arises from the interplay of flux and loss, breaking inversion and time-reversal symmetries.
Conclusions:
- The dissipative AB ring enables tunable, nonreciprocal quantum transport.
- This system provides a flexible platform for quantum simulation and quantum information.
- The findings open new avenues for studying nonreciprocal dynamics in cold atoms.
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