The initial momentum dependence of the quantum resonance in the delta-kicked rotor

TL;DR

This paper experimentally investigates how initial momentum affects quantum resonances in the delta-kicked rotor, revealing conditions for resonance suppression or emergence, and analyzing resonance narrowing and peak splitting over multiple kicks.

Contribution

It provides new experimental insights into the initial momentum dependence of quantum resonances, including resonance control and peak behavior in the delta-kicked rotor.

Findings

Certain initial momenta negate quantum resonances.

Resonances narrow with more kicks.

Diffraction peaks may split at larger kicks.

Abstract

The influence of an initial momentum on the appearance of "quantum resonances" in the delta-kicked rotor system is explored experimentally. We show that for certain initial momenta, a resonance can be negated entirely, whereas at others a resonance can be made to appear. At a larger number of kicks, all resonances are shown to narrow. We show that as a consequence, the individual "diffraction peaks" may split. We compare our results to numerical simulations as well as analytical theory.