Study of surface potentials using resonant tunneling of cold atoms in optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method using resonant tunneling of cold atoms in optical lattices to precisely measure surface potentials at micrometer scales, potentially advancing understanding of Casimir and gravitational forces.

Contribution

It introduces a novel technique for surface potential measurement leveraging atomic tunneling resonances in optical lattices, enhancing precision at small distances.

Findings

Potential to measure Casimir-type forces with high accuracy.

Method can improve tests of Newtonian gravity at micrometer scales.

Feasibility demonstrated through theoretical analysis.

Abstract

We study a feasibility of precision measurements of surface potentials at micrometer distances using resonant tunneling of cold atoms trapped in vertical optical lattices. A modulation of an amplitude of the lattice potential induces atomic tunneling among the lattice sites. The resonant modulation frequency corresponds to a difference of potential energy between latices sites which is defined by external force i.e. gravity. The vicinity of the surface alters the external potentials, and hence the resonant frequency. Application of this method allows accurate study of Casimir-type potentials and improvement of the present experimental validity of the Newtonian gravitational potential at the distance range of 5 - 30 micrometers.