Coherent transport of neutral atoms in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates controlled coherent transport and splitting of atomic wave packets in spin-dependent optical lattices, enabling advanced quantum state engineering with potential applications in quantum information processing.

Contribution

It introduces a method for coherent transport and splitting of neutral atoms in spin-dependent optical lattices, advancing quantum control techniques.

Findings

Coherence maintained over up to 7 lattice sites

Successful splitting and transport of atomic wave packets

Preparation of localized atomic states in a Mott insulator

Abstract

We demonstrate the controlled coherent transport and splitting of atomic wave packets in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials. Such experiments open intriguing possibilities for quantum state engineering of many body states. After first preparing localized atomic wave functions in an optical lattice through a Mott insulating phase, we place each atom in a superposition of two internal spin states. Then state selective optical potentials are used to split the wave function of a single atom and transport the corresponding wave packets in two opposite directions. Coherence between the wave packets of an atom delocalized over up to 7 lattice sites is demonstrated.