Abstract
We demonstrate submicron spatial control of interatomic interactions in a Bose-Einstein condensate of ytterbium (Yb). A pulsed optical standing wave, tuned near an optical Feshbach resonance, varies the -wave scattering length continuously across the standing wave pattern. The modulated mean-field energy with a spatial period every 278 nm is monitored by a diffraction pattern in a time-of-flight image. We observe a wide scattering length control of up to 250 nm. The demonstrated spatial modulation of the scattering length proves that high resolution control of atomic interactions is possible.
- Received 18 May 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.050405
©2010 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Ups and downs in a BEC
Published 16 August 2010
A pulsed laser modulates the atom-atom interaction in a Bose-Einstein condensate on submicron length scales.
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