Cold-atom dynamics in crossed-laser-beam waveguides Articles uri icon

publication date

  • October 2010

start page

  • 043420-1

end page

  • 043420-7

issue

  • 4

volume

  • 82

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1050-2947

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1094-1622

abstract

  • We study the dynamics of neutral cold atoms in an L-shaped crossed-beam optical waveguide formed by two perpendicular red-detuned lasers of different intensities and a blue-detuned laser at the corner. The motion in one sense is optimized, and the motion in the other sense may be suppressed even if it is energetically allowed. Quantum and classical simulations are performed and give similar results. Complemented with a vibrational cooling process we find a range of parameters for which this setting works as a one-way device or "atom diode."

subjects

  • Physics