Abstract
We report the experimental observation of rectified momentum transport for a Bose-Einstein condensate kicked at the Talbot time (quantum resonance) by an optical standing wave. Atoms are initially prepared in a superposition of the 0 and -2 kl momentum states using an optical π/2 pulse. By changing the relative phase of the superposed states, a momentum current in either direction along the standing wave may be produced. We offer an interpretation based on matter-wave interference, showing that the observed effect is uniquely quantum.
| Original language | English |
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| Article number | 043002 |
| Journal | Physical review letters |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Jul 2007 |