Spin-momentum entanglement in a Bose-Einstein condensate

TL;DR

This paper investigates how spin-momentum entanglement can be generated and controlled in a Bose-Einstein condensate of rubidium atoms, highlighting its potential for quantum information processing.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of spin-momentum entanglement in BECs induced by Raman and radio-frequency fields, quantifying entanglement measures under various conditions.

Findings

Significant spin-momentum entanglement achievable with proper parameters

Von Neumann entropy reaches 80% of maximum

Insights into BECs' potential for quantum information applications

Abstract

Entanglement is at the core of quantum information processing and may prove essential for quantum speed-up. Inspired by both theoretical and experimental studies of spin-momentum coupling in systems of ultra-cold atoms, we investigate the entanglement between the spin and momentum degrees of freedom of an optically trapped BEC of $^{87}$Rb atoms. We consider entanglement that arises due to the coupling of these degrees of freedom induced by Raman and radio-frequency fields and examine its dependence on the coupling parameters by evaluating von Neumann entropy as well as concurrence as measures of the entanglement attained. Our calculations reveal that under proper experimental conditions significant spin-momentum entanglement can be obtained, with von Neumann entropy of 80% of the maximum attainable value. Our analysis sheds some light on the prospects of using BECs for quantum information applications.