Bright gap solitons of atoms with repulsive interaction

TL;DR

This paper reports the first experimental observation of bright matter-wave solitons in 87Rb atoms with repulsive interactions, achieved inside a weak periodic potential where anomalous dispersion enables soliton formation at the band edge.

Contribution

It demonstrates the experimental creation and control of gap solitons in a repulsive atomic system, a novel phenomenon in matter-wave physics.

Findings

First observation of bright gap solitons in repulsive atoms

Precise control enables systematic study of gap solitons

Solitons formed at the band edge inside a periodic potential

Abstract

We report on the first experimental observation of bright matter-wave solitons for 87Rb atoms with repulsive atom-atom interaction. This counter intuitive situation arises inside a weak periodic potential, where anomalous dispersion can be realized at the Brillouin zone boundary. If the coherent atomic wavepacket is prepared at the corresponding band edge a bright soliton is formed inside the gap. The strength of our system is the precise control of preparation and real time manipulation, allowing the systematic investigation of gap solitons.