Experimental Observation of Single-and Multisite Matter-Wave Solitons in an Optical Accordion Lattice

Year: 2025

Authors: Cruickshank R., Lorenzi F., La Rooij A., Kerr EF., Hilker T., Kuhr S., Salasnich L., Haller E.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Strathclyde, Dept Phys, Glasgow G4 0NG, Scotland; Univ Strathclyde, SUPA, Glasgow G4 0NG, Scotland; Univ Padua, Dipartimento Fis & Astron Galileo Galilei, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padua, Italy; Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Padova, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padua, Italy; Univ Padua, Padua QTech Ctr, Via Marzolo 8, I-35131 Padua, Italy; CNR, Ist Nazl Ottica, Unit Sesto Fiorentino, Via Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: We report the experimental observation of discrete bright matter-wave solitons with attractive interaction in an optical lattice. Using an accordion lattice with adjustable spacing, we prepare a Bose-Einstein condensate of cesium atoms across a defined number of lattice sites. By quenching the interaction strength and the trapping potential, we generate both single-site and multisite solitons. Our results reveal the existence and characteristics of these solitons across a range of lattice depths and spacings. We identify stable regions of the solitons based on interaction strength and lattice properties, and compare these findings with theoretical predictions. The experimental results qualitatively agree with a Gaussian variational model and match quantitatively with numerical simulations of the three-dimensional GrossPitaevskii equation extended with a quintic term to account for the loss of atoms. Our results provide insights into the quench dynamics and collapse mechanisms, paving the way for further studies of transport and dynamical properties of matter-wave solitons in lattices.

Journal/Review: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS

Volume: 135 (26)      Pages from: 263404-1  to: 263404-8

More Information: We acknowledge support by the EPSRC through a New Investigator Grant (Grant No. EP/T027789/1) , the Programme Grant Quantum Advantage in Quantitative Quantum Simulation (Grant No. EP/Y01510X/1) , and the Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Computing and Simulation (Grant No. EP/T001062/1) . T. H. acknowledges funding from the Europe an Research Council (ERC Starting Grant FOrbQ No. 101165353) . F. L. and L. S. are supported by the Iniziativa Specifica Quantum of INFN and by the project Frontiere Quantistiche (Dipartimenti di Eccellenza) of the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) . L. S. is supported by the European Union through the European Quantum Flagship Project PASQuanS2, the National Center for HPC, and the Big Data and Quantum Computing [Spoke 10: Quantum Computing] . L. S. also acknowledges funding by the PRIN project Quantum Atomic Mixtures: Droplets, Topological Structures, and Vortices of MUR.
KeyWords: Bose-einstein Condensate; Discrete Solitons; Dynamics; Breathers; Collapse; Growth
DOI: 10.1103/sh72-wnmv