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Dark State Optical Lattice with a Subwavelength Spatial Structure

Y. Wang (王扬), S. Subhankar, P. Bienias, M. Łącki, T-C. Tsui (崔子俊), M. A. Baranov, A. V. Gorshkov, P. Zoller, J. V. Porto, and S. L. Rolston
Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 083601 – Published 20 February 2018
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Abstract

We report on the experimental realization of a conservative optical lattice for cold atoms with a subwavelength spatial structure. The potential is based on the nonlinear optical response of three-level atoms in laser-dressed dark states, which is not constrained by the diffraction limit of the light generating the potential. The lattice consists of a one-dimensional array of ultranarrow barriers with widths less than 10 nm, well below the wavelength of the lattice light, physically realizing a Kronig-Penney potential. We study the band structure and dissipation of this lattice and find good agreement with theoretical predictions. Even on resonance, the observed lifetimes of atoms trapped in the lattice are as long as 44 ms, nearly 105 times the excited state lifetime, and could be further improved with more laser intensity. The potential is readily generalizable to higher dimensions and different geometries, allowing, for example, nearly perfect box traps, narrow tunnel junctions for atomtronics applications, and dynamically generated lattices with subwavelength spacings.

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  • Received 1 December 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.083601

© 2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

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Sharpening the Features of Optical Lattices

Published 20 February 2018

Lasers trap cold atoms in a lattice of potential barriers much narrower than the lasers’ wavelength.

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Authors & Affiliations

Y. Wang (王扬)1,*, S. Subhankar1, P. Bienias1, M. Łącki2,3,4, T-C. Tsui (崔子俊)1, M. A. Baranov3,4, A. V. Gorshkov1,5, P. Zoller3,4, J. V. Porto1, and S. L. Rolston1

  • 1Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
  • 2Jagiellonian University, Institute of Physics, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348 Kraków, Poland
  • 3Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
  • 4Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
  • 5Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA

  • *yuw127@umd.edu

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Issue

Vol. 120, Iss. 8 — 23 February 2018

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