Abstract
The macroscopic coherent tunneling through the barriers of a periodic potential is used as an atom-optical filter to separate the center of mass of the condensate and the thermal components of a mixed cloud. We condense in the combined potential of a laser standing wave superimposed on the axis of a cigar-shaped magnetic trap and induce condensate dipole oscillation in the presence of a static thermal component. The oscillation is damped due to the interaction with the thermal fraction and we investigate the role played by the periodic potential in the damping process.
- Received 16 January 2002
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.66.011604
©2002 American Physical Society