Dispersion control of matter waves propagating through periodic microstructures

M.W.J. Bromley, B.D. Esry
(Department of Physics, Kansas State University)

Using a combination of Bose-Einstein condensates and moving optical lattices, experimentalists have recently demonstrated the manipulation of the dispersion of a matter wave during expansion [1,2]. Here, we consider whether it is possible to exert similar control over a wavepacket moving through a static periodic potential. Quantum mechanical calculations for a waveguide with harmonic transverse confinement are used to characterize the required periodic geometries, and we suggest possible ``atom chip'' microstructures that could be used to achieve dispersion control during propagation. It is envisaged that such a scheme could be useful during propagation of atoms between atom optical elements and in other on-chip devices such as storage rings.

This work was supported by the Chemical Sciences, Geosciences and Biosciences Division,
Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science, U.S. Department of Energy.

Submitted to DAMOP, May 2004 in Tucson, AZ.

 

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