Generating Solitons by Phase Engineering of a Bose-Einstein Condensate

Published

January 1, 2000

Author(s)

J Denschlag, J E. Simsarian, D L. Feder, Charles W. Clark, L A. Collins, J Cubizolles, Lu Deng, Edward W. Hagley, Kristian Helmerson, W P. Reinhardt, S L. Rolston, B I. Schneider, William D. Phillips

Abstract

We demonstrate quantum phase engineering using two novel techniques that allow us to write and read the spatial phase of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). We design and produce a quantum state by optically imprinting phasepatterns onto a condensate of sodium atoms. We then use mater wave interferometry to analyze the spatial distribution of the condensate phase. With these techniques we observe a new nonlinear phenomenon in a BEC, the creation of solutions, and we investigate the subsequent evolution of these excitations both experimentally and theoretically. By choosing appropriate phase patterns our methods should be applicable to generate additional interesting phenomena such as vortices and other excitations.

Citation

Science

Volume

287

Issue

No. 5450

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

Bose-Einstein condensate, design, quantum state, sodium atoms

Citation

Denschlag, J. , Simsarian, J. , Feder, D. , Clark, C. , Collins, L. , Cubizolles, J. , Deng, L. , Hagley, E. , Helmerson, K. , Reinhardt, W. , Rolston, S. , Schneider, B. and Phillips, W. (2000), Generating Solitons by Phase Engineering of a Bose-Einstein Condensate, Science, [online], https://doi.org/10.1126/science.287.5450.97 (Accessed October 24, 2025)