Atom Optics with Quasi-Two-Dimensional Bose-Einstein Condensates

本实验研究计划旨在通过探索新的原子操纵方法和潜在应用，以及对非线性物理现象的新研究，继续推进原子光学的发展。光势中的准二维bec将在三个主要实验中使用。在一个实验中，将研究物质波的量子点接触。利用激光在产生原子势时所提供的宽范围配置，将构建在两个空间不同区域之间传输原子的通道阵列。这些通道的量子力学性质将被实验表征，从而导致潜在的重大和实用的原子光学发展。在第二个实验中，类似于光国相模式转换器的量子态工程技术将用于物质波。最后，对环形暗孤子及其调制不稳定性进行了研究。该项目对光学研究生的教育产生了更广泛的影响。

This experimental research program is aimed at continuing the advancement of atom optics with explorations of new atom-manipulation methods and potential applications, and with new studies of nonlinear physical phenomena. Quasi-two-dimensional BECs held in optical potentials will be used in three main experiments. In one experiment, quantum point contacts for matter waves will be studied. Using the wide range of configurations afforded by laser light in the creation of atomic potentials, an array of channels for the transport of atoms between two spatially distinct regions will be constructed. The quantum-mechanical nature of these channels will be experimentally characterized, leading to potentially significant and practical atom optics developments. In a second experiment, a quantum state engineering technique analogous to the optical Guoy-phase mode converter will be developed for matter waves. Finally, ring-shaped dark solitons and their modulational instabilities will be studied. The broader impact of the program is in the education of optics graduate students.