Dissipationless Directed Transport in Rocked Single-Band Quantum Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates dissipationless, directed transport of matter waves in a deep optical lattice achieved through periodic tilting, with broad parameter robustness and theoretical explanation via ac-scattering theory.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for achieving directed transport in single-band quantum dynamics using periodic tilting, applicable to ultracold and solid-state systems.

Findings

Directed transport occurs for most system parameters.

Transport persists over a broad range of initial states.

Theoretical explanation via ac-scattering theory is provided.

Abstract

Using matter waves that are trapped in a deep optical lattice, dissipationless directed transport is demonstrated to occur if the single-band quantum dynamics is periodically tilted on one half of the lattice by a monochromatic field. Most importantly, the directed transport can exist for almost all system parameters, even after averaged over a broad range of single-band initial states. The directed transport is theoretically explained within ac-scattering theory. Total reflection phenomena associated with the matter waves travelling from a tilting-free region to a tilted region are emphasized. The results are of relevance to ultracold physics and solid-state physics, and may lead to powerful means of selective, coherent, and directed transport of cold particles in optical lattices.