Non-perturbative theoretical description of two atoms in an optical lattice with time-dependent perturbations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a non-perturbative theoretical method to describe the dynamics of two interacting atoms in an optical lattice under time-dependent perturbations, extending previous stationary state approaches.

Contribution

It develops a new non-perturbative framework for analyzing two-atom dynamics in optical lattices with arbitrary time-dependent perturbations, building on prior stationary state methods.

Findings

Successfully models lattice acceleration effects.

Analyzes the impact of additional harmonic confinement.

Provides a versatile approach for dynamic lattice perturbations.

Abstract

A theoretical approach for a non-perturbative dynamical description of two interacting atoms in an optical lattice potential is introduced. The approach builds upon the stationary eigenstates found by a procedure described in Grishkevich et al. [Phys. Rev. A 84, 062710 (2011)]. It allows presently to treat any time-dependent external perturbation of the lattice potential up to quadratic order. Example calculations of the experimentally relevant cases of an acceleration of the lattice and the turning-on of an additional harmonic confinement are presented.