Hannover 2010 – scientific programme
Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Downloads | Help
A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 7: Ultra-Cold Atoms: Manipulation and Detection (with Q)
A 7.5: Talk
Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 15:00–15:15, A 320
Matter Wave Scattering from Ultracold Atoms in an Optical Lattice — Scott N. Sanders1,2, •Florian Mintert3, and Eric J. Heller1 — 1Physics Department, Harvard University — 2Massachusetts Institute of Technology — 3Physikalisches Institut, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
We study matter wave scattering from an ultracold, many body atomic system trapped in an optical lattice. The angular cross section of the target lattice for a matter wave is determined and is demonstrated to have a strong dependence on the many body phase, superfluid or Mott insulator. Analytical approaches are employed deep in the superfluid and Mott insulator regimes, while intermediate points in the phase transition are treated numerically. Matter wave scattering offers a convenient method for non-destructively probing the quantum many body phase transition of atoms in an optical lattice.