Quantum-state control in optical lattices

Ivan H. Deutsch and Poul S. Jessen
Phys. Rev. A 57, 1972 – Published 1 March 1998
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Abstract

We study the means of preparing and coherently manipulating atomic wave packets in optical lattices, with particular emphasis on alkali-metal atoms in the far-detuned limit. We derive a general, basis-independent expression for the lattice potential operator, and show that its off-diagonal elements can be tailored to couple the vibrational manifolds of separate magnetic sublevels. Using these couplings one can evolve the state of a trapped atom in a quantum coherent fashion, and prepare pure quantum states by resolved-sideband Raman cooling. We explore the use of atoms bound in optical lattices to study quantum tunneling and the generation of macroscopic superposition states in a double-well potential. Far-off-resonance optical potentials lend themselves particularly well to reservoir engineering via well-controlled fluctuations in the potential, making the atom-lattice system attractive for the study of decoherence and the connection between classical and quantum physics.

  • Received 29 August 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.57.1972

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Ivan H. Deutsch

  • Center for Advanced Studies, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131

Poul S. Jessen

  • Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721

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Vol. 57, Iss. 3 — March 1998

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