Production and manipulation of wave packets from ultracold atoms in an optical lattice

TL;DR

This paper explores how to create, manipulate, and analyze matter wave packets in ultracold atoms within an optical lattice, enabling precise control and spectroscopy of atomic states for advanced quantum applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel modulation technique for producing and de-exciting matter wave packets, acting as a beam splitter and enabling high-momentum excitations for precision measurements.

Findings

Controlled creation of matter wave packets via lattice modulation

De-excitation allows for selective state preparation and spectroscopy

High-momentum wave packets can be generated for precision applications

Abstract

Within the combined potential of an optical lattice and a harmonic magnetic trap, it is possible to form matter wave packets by intensity modulation of the lattice. An analysis of the production and motion of these wave packets provides a detailed understanding of the dynamical evolution of the system. The modulation technique also allows for a controllable transfer (de-excitation) of atoms from such wave packets to a state bound by the lattice. Thus, it acts as a beam splitter for matter waves that can selectively address different bands, enabling the preparation of atoms in selected localized states. The combination of wave packet creation and de-excitation closely resembles the well-known method of pump-probe spectroscopy. Here, we use the de-excitation for precision spectroscopy of the anharmonicity of the magnetic trap. Finally, we demonstrate that lattice modulation can be used to excite matter wave packets to even higher momenta, producing fast wave packets with potential applications in precision measurements.