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

该实验研究计划旨在继续原子光学的进步，探索新的原子操纵方法和潜在的应用，并对非线性物理现象进行新的研究。准二维BEC光学势将用于三个主要的实验。在一个实验中，将研究物质波的量子点接触。利用激光在原子势的产生中提供的广泛的配置，将构造用于在两个空间上不同的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通过实验表征，从而导致潜在的重要和实用的原子光学发展。在第二个实验中，将为物质波开发类似于光学郭伊相位模式转换器的量子态工程技术。最后，研究了环形暗孤子及其调制不稳定性。该计划的更广泛的影响是在光学研究生的教育。

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.