Abstract
Atomic wave packets are coherently split into two components evolving on different adiabatic potentials of a near-resonant gray optical lattice. The components follow separated paths and overlap periodically. Wave-packet interference is observed at times when the components overlap. The wave-packet splitting and recombination mechanisms are quantum projection and nonadiabatic coupling. Experimental results are in agreement with the results of a detailed theoretical model.
- Received 1 July 2004
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.70.051601
©2004 American Physical Society