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Emergence of atomic semifluxons in optical Josephson junctions

M. Grupp, W. P. Schleich, E. Goldobin, D. Koelle, R. Kleiner, and R. Walser
Phys. Rev. A 87, 021602(R) – Published 13 February 2013

Abstract

We propose to create pairs of semifluxons starting from a flat-phase state in long, optical 0-π-0 Josephson junctions formed with internal electronic states of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates. In this optical system, we can dynamically tune the length a of the π junction, the detuning δ of the optical transition, or the strength Ω0 of the laser coupling to induce transitions from the flat-phase state to such a semifluxon-pair state. Similarly as in superconducting 0-π-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.

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  • Received 3 November 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.87.021602

©2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Grupp1, W. P. Schleich1, E. Goldobin2, D. Koelle2, R. Kleiner2, and R. Walser3,*

  • 1Universität Ulm, Institut für Quantenphysik and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), D-89069 Ulm, Germany
  • 2Physikalisches Institut II, Universität Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
  • 3Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institut für Angewandte Physik, D-64289 Darmstadt, Germany

  • *Reinhold.walser@physik.tu-darmstadt.de

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Issue

Vol. 87, Iss. 2 — February 2013

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