International Workshop on Atomic Interactions in Laser Fields - Abstracts
K. Sengstock
Institut für Quantenoptik, Universität Hannover, 30167 Hannover, Germany
The application of coherent matter waves in phase sensitive experiments, like interferometers, necessitates the understanding of their evo1ution when being manipulated by atom optical elements like mirrors and beamsplitters. The dynamics of coherent matter waves during and after the interaction with these elements is in comparison to single-atom optics much more complex and can lead e.g. to 'non -linear atom optics'.
As one of the key elements, atom mirrors deserve a detailed investigation. In my lecture I will discuss on bouncing of Bose Einstein-condensated samples of Rubidium (87) atoms off a mirror formed by a repulsive dipole potential. The condensates are released from a magnetic trap falling under the influence of gravity and interact with a blue-detuned far-off-resonant sheet of light. A spatial splitting of the reflected ensemble and the appearance of self-interference substructures are observed.
The light sheet is formed by a 'tailored' laser field forming nearly any kind of reflective, diffractive or reflective optical element for the falling condensate. Its dispersive nature is also well suited to splitt the matter-wave or to act as a phase plate.
Altematively, focused far-off-resonant laser beams or 'hollow light fields' like Laguerre Gaussion modes act as various traps or guides for the matter wave. The function of these optical elements as well as its future applications will be discussed.
In the second part of the lecture I will present a new method of 'phase imprinting' for a BEC to manipulate the density and phase of a condensate to forrn and to detect vortices, kinks and other matter wave configurations.