Nonlinear effects in periodic potentials: asymmetric Landau-Zener tunnelling of a Bose-Einstein condensate

Year: 2004

Authors: Jona-Lasioni M., Morsch O., Cristiani M., Malossi N., Mueller J.H., Courtade E., Anderlini M., Arimondo E.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Pisa, INFM, Dipartimento Fis E Fermi, I-56127 Pisa, Italy

Abstract: From a two-level model for nonlinear Landau-Zener tunnelling between two energy bands of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a periodic potential we obtain unequal tunnelling rates for the two directions of tunnelling. With increasing nonlinearity, tunnelling from the ground state to the excited state is enhanced, whereas in the opposite direction it is suppressed. These findings are confirmed by numerical simulations of the condensate dynamics. Measuring the tunnelling rates for a condensate of rubidium atoms in an optical lattice, we have found experimental evidence for this asymmetry. We discuss the limitations of our approach and possible future experiments.

Journal/Review: LASER PHYSICS LETTERS

Volume: 1 (3)      Pages from: 147  to: 153

KeyWords: Bose-Einstein condensation; Landau-Zener tunneling;
DOI: 10.1002/lapl.200310039

Citations: 6
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