Abstract
We report the observation and characterization of position-space Bloch oscillations using cold atoms in a tilted optical lattice. While momentum-space Bloch oscillations are a common feature of optical lattice experiments, the real-space center-of-mass dynamics are typically unresolvable. In a regime of rapid tunneling and low force, we observe real-space Bloch oscillation amplitudes of hundreds of lattice sites, in both ground and excited bands. We demonstrate two unique capabilities enabled by tracking of Bloch dynamics in position space: measurement of the full position-momentum phase-space evolution during a Bloch cycle, and direct imaging of the lattice band structure. These techniques, along with the ability to exert long-distance coherent control of quantum gases without modulation, may open up new possibilities for quantum control and metrology.
- Received 6 March 2018
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.213201
© 2018 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Synopsis
Atoms Put On a Bloch Party
Published 24 May 2018
Bloch oscillations—first predicted to occur for electrons in a crystal—have been observed in an optical lattice containing ultracold atoms.
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