Filtering of matter wave vibrational states via spatial adiabatic passage

TL;DR

This paper presents a method for selectively filtering vibrational states of cold atoms in optical traps using spatial adiabatic passage, with potential applications in quantum state engineering and cooling.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical framework for vibrational state filtering via adiabatic tunneling control, applicable to multiple bound states, supported by realistic numerical simulations.

Findings

Successful filtering of vibrational states demonstrated in simulations.

Analytical conditions for two-state filtering derived and validated.

Potential applications in quantum tomography and atomic Fock state engineering.

Abstract

We discuss the filtering of the vibrational states of a cold atom in an optical trap, by chaining this trap with two empty ones and controlling adiabatically the tunneling. Matter wave filtering is performed by selectively transferring the population of the highest populated vibrational state to the most distant trap while the population of the rest of the states remains in the initial trap. Analytical conditions for two-state filtering are derived and then applied to an arbitrary number of populated bound states. Realistic numerical simulations close to state-of-the-art experimental arrangements are performed by modeling the triple well with time dependent P\"oschl-Teller potentials. In addition to filtering of vibrational states, we discuss applications for quantum tomography of the initial population distribution and engineering of atomic Fock states that, eventually, could be used for tunneling assisted evaporative cooling.