We investigate the tunneling dynamics of a single atom in a planar four-well potential driven by a high-frequency ac field. The quasienergy spectrum exhibits anticrossing and crossing, which are related to selective coherent destruction of tunneling (CDT) with several selectable directions. By using the CDTs of different directions, the switchlike effect is shown for the six tunneling pathways among the four wells. Applying the present results, we suggest a scheme for designing a single-atom quantum motor with the driving field as a quantum starter.

• Received 2 March 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.83.053424