Abstract
We propose to create pairs of semifluxons starting from a flat-phase state in long, optical 0--0 Josephson junctions formed with internal electronic states of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates. In this optical system, we can dynamically tune the length of the junction, the detuning of the optical transition, or the strength of the laser coupling to induce transitions from the flat-phase state to such a semifluxon-pair state. Similarly as in superconducting 0--0 junctions, there are two, energetically degenerate semifluxon-pair states. A linear mean-field model with two internal electronic states explains this degeneracy and shows the distinct static field configuration in a phase diagram of the junction parameters. This optical system offers the possibility to dynamically create a coherent superposition of the distinct semifluxon-pair states and observe macroscopic quantum oscillation.
- Received 3 November 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.87.021602
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