Driven Dirac-like Equation via Mirror Oscillation: Controlled Cold-Atom Zitterbewegung

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how mirror oscillation in a laser-atom system can control Dirac-like quantum oscillations, enabling new methods for manipulating matter waves through coupled mechanical and quantum dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to control cold-atom Zitterbewegung using mirror oscillation to drive effective spin-orbit interactions in a tripod-scheme system.

Findings

Mirror oscillation can modulate Zitterbewegung amplitude and frequency.

Controlled spin-orbit coupling is achieved via mechanical motion.

Coupling between mechanical motion and quantum oscillations is demonstrated.

Abstract

By considering mirror oscillation in a "tripod-scheme" laser-atom system, we advocate explorative studies of driven Dirac-like equations. Both analytical and numerical studies show that mirror oscillation can be used to drive an effective spin-orbit interaction and hence control the amplitude, the frequency, and the damping of the cold-atom Zitterbewegung oscillation. Our results demonstrate an interesting coupling between the mirror mechanical motion and a fundamental quantum coherent oscillation, opening up new means of matter wave manipulation.