Tunable source of correlated atom beams

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a tunable, narrow-momentum correlated atom pair source using a one-dimensional optical lattice, capable of operating in both low and high mode occupancy regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to generate and control correlated atom beams with tunable momenta using optical lattices.

Findings

Atom pairs exhibit narrow momentum correlation.

The momenta of the atom beams are precisely tunable.

The source operates effectively in both low and high mode occupancy regimes.

Abstract

We use a one-dimensional optical lattice to modify the dispersion relation of atomic matter waves. Four-wave mixing in this situation produces atom pairs in two well defined beams. We show that these beams present a narrow momentum correlation, that their momenta are precisely tunable, and that this pair source can be operated both in the regime of low mode occupancy and of high mode occupancy.