Berlin 2001 – scientific programme

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Q: Quantenoptik

Q 3: Atom Optics I

Q 3.6: Talk

Monday, April 2, 2001, 17:00–17:15, H 104

Fermionic atoms in a box — •Karl Vogel and Wolfgang P. Schleich — Universität Ulm, Abteilung für Quantenphysik, D-89069 Ulm, Germany

The dynamics of a single particle in a box shows [1] revivals, fractional revivals and structures known as quantum carpets[2]. Similar phenomena were found [3] for Bose-Einstein condensates. For spin-polarized fermionic atoms there is no s-wave scattering and p-wave scattering is negligible at low temperatures. Therefore, the dynamics of Fermions is more similar to the single-particle problem than the dynamics of Bosons. We show that the time-dependent density distribution of a fermionic gas is equivalent to the one of the single-particle problem provided the initial state of the single particle is an appropriate mixed state. We find revivals, fractional revivals and quantum carpets. This work was supported by the DFG Forschergruppe Quantengase.

[1] P. Stifter, W. E. Lamb and W. P. Schleich, The particle in a box revisited in: “Frontiers of Quantum Optics and Laser Physics” (Springer, Heidelberg, 1997) p. 236

[2] M. Berry, I. Marzoli and W. P. Schleich, Quantum carpets, carpets of light, submitted to Physics World

[3] J. Ruostekoski, B. Kneer, W. P. Schleich and G. Rempe, Interference of a Bose-Einstein Condensate in a Hard-Wall Trap: From Nonlinear Talbot Effect to Formation of Vorticity, Phys. Rev. A (to be published)