An $\mathbf{\epsilon}$-pseudoclassical model for quantum resonances in a cold dilute atomic gas periodically driven by finite-duration standing-wave laser pulses

TL;DR

This paper introduces an $oldsymbol{ ext{ extepsilon}}$-pseudoclassical model that accurately reproduces quantum resonances in laser-driven atomic gases, simplifying analysis for precision atom interferometry.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel $ ext{ extepsilon}$-classical model that captures quantum resonance phenomena in finite-temperature atomic gases under finite-duration laser pulses, aligning well with quantum simulations.

Findings

The $ ext{ extepsilon}$-classical model reproduces quantum resonances effectively.

The model works for both zero-temperature and finite-temperature gases.

It accurately captures the time-reversal mechanism essential for interferometry.

Abstract

Atom interferometers are a useful tool for precision measurements of fundamental physical phenomena, ranging from local gravitational field strength to the atomic fine structure constant. In such experiments, it is desirable to implement a high momentum transfer "beam-splitter," which may be achieved by inducing quantum resonance in a finite-temperature laser-driven atomic gas. We use Monte Carlo simulations to investigate these quantum resonances in the regime where the gas receives laser pulses of finite duration, and demonstrate that an $\epsilon$-classical model for the dynamics of the gas atoms is capable of reproducing quantum resonant behavior for both zero-temperature and finite-temperature non-interacting gases. We show that this model agrees well with the fully quantum treatment of the system over a time-scale set by the choice of experimental parameters. We also show that this model is capable of correctly treating the time-reversal mechanism necessary for implementing an interferometer with this physical configuration.