V. Ahufinger

Trapped Ion Chain as a Neural Network: Error Resistant Quantum Computation

We demonstrate the possibility of realizing a neural network in a chain of trapped ions with induced long range interactions. Such models permit one to store information distributed over the whole system. The storage capacity of such a network, which depends on the phonon spectrum of the system, can be controlled by changing the external trapping potential. We analyze the implementation of error resistant universal quantum information processing in such systems.

Blue-detuned optical ring trap for Bose-Einstein condensates based on conical refraction

We present a novel approach for the optical manipulation of neutral atoms in annular light structures produced by the phenomenon of conical refraction occurring in biaxial optical crystals. For a beam focused to a plane behind the crystal, the focal plane exhibits two concentric bright rings enclosing a ring of null intensity called the Poggendorff ring. We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally that the Poggendorff dark ring of conical refraction is confined in three dimensions by regions of higher intensity. We derive the positions of the confining intensity maxima and minima and discuss the application of the Poggendorff ring for trapping ultra-cold atoms using the repulsive dipole force of blue-detuned light. We give analytical expressions for the trapping frequencies and potential depths along both the radial and the axial directions. Finally, we present realistic numerical simulations of the dynamics of a 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensate trapped inside the Poggendorff ring which are in good agreement with corresponding experimental results.

Creation and mobility of discrete solitons in Bose-Einstein condensates

We analyze the generation and mobility of discrete solitons in Bose-Einstein condensates confined in an optical lattice under realistic experimental conditions. We discuss first the creation of 1D discrete solitons, for both attractive and repulsive interatomic interactions. We then address the issue of their mobility, focusing our attention on the conditions for the experimental observability of the Peierls-Nabarro barrier. Finally we report on the generation of self-trapped structures in two and three dimensions. Discrete solitons may open alternative routes for the manipulation and transport of Bose-Einstein condensates.

Adiabatic Passage of Light in CMOS-Compatible Silicon Oxide Integrated Rib Waveguides

A fully complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible adiabatic passage of light in the visible range is presented in this letter. We experimentally show that a system of three total internal reflection waveguides, which has been defined by using non-stoichiometric silicon oxide, allows a highly efficient transfer of light between the outermost waveguides by adiabatically following one eigenmode of the system. Furthermore, we demonstrate that such transfer of light is very robust against small variations of the system parameters.

Disordered ultracold atomic gases in optical lattices: A case study of Fermi-Bose mixtures

We present a review of properties of ultracold atomic Fermi-Bose mixtures in inhomogeneous and random optical lattices. In the strong interacting limit and at very low temperatures, fermions form, together with bosons or bosonic holes, composite fermions. Composite fermions behave as a spinless interacting Fermi gas, and in the presence of local disorder they interact via random couplings and feel effective random local potential. This opens a wide variety of possibilities of realizing various kinds of ultracold quantum disordered systems. In this paper we review these possibilities, discuss the accessible quantum disordered phases, and methods for their detection. The discussed quantum phases include Fermi glasses, quantum spin glasses, “dirty” superfluids, disordered metallic phases, and phases involving quantum percolation.

Electromagnetically induced transparency in a Bose-Einstein condensate

Abstract We report on the direct observation of the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) lineshape of cold 87 Rb atoms above and below the transition temperature for Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC). Similar results are observed in both temperature regimes, with an absorption reduction of about 60%. Good agreement with a theoretical model is discussed.

Disordered spinor Bose-Hubbard model

We study the zero-temperature phase diagram of the disordered spin-1 Bose-Hubbard model in a two-dimensional square lattice. To this aim, we use a mean-field Gutzwiller ansatz and a probabilistic mean-field perturbation theory. The spin interaction induces two different regimes, corresponding to a ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic order. In the ferromagnetic case, the introduction of disorder reproduces analogous features of the disordered scalar Bose-Hubbard model, consisting in the formation of a Bose glass phase between Mott insulator lobes. In the antiferromagnetic regime, the phase diagram differs more from the scalar case. Disorder in the chemical potential can lead to the disappearance of Mott insulator lobes with an odd-integer filling factor and, for sufficiently strong spin coupling, to Bose glass of singlets between even-filling Mott insulator lobes. Disorder in the spinor coupling parameter results in the appearance of a Bose glass phase only between the n and the n+1 lobes for n odd. Disorder in the scalar Hubbard interaction inhibits Mott insulator regions for occupation larger than a critical value.

Coherent patterning of matter waves with subwavelength localization

Recently, there have been several proposals for subwavelength atom localization based on the interaction of three-level atoms with light having space-dependent amplitude [1,2]. In all these proposals a spatially modulated dark state is created by means of either electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) or coherent population trapping (CPT) [3]. Significant for the present work, the CPT technique with a Standing Wave (SW) control field produces atom localization in one of the ground states with a spatial fringe pattern resembling that of a Fabry-Perot resonator with cavity finesse given by the ratio R between the control and probe field intensities [2].

Propagation effects on lasing without population inversion

We study propagation effects on lasing without population inversion in a Doppler-broadened V-type three-level system. In particular, we focus our analysis on frequency up-conversion lasing without inversion in atomic rubidium. In an atomic beam configuration, we show that it is possible to increase notably the probe gain per single pass through the active medium by detuning driving and probe fields out of one-photon resonance but maintaining the two-photon resonance condition. In a vapour cell configuration, we show that due to propagation effects the probe gain per single pass depends strongly on the driving field intensity at the entrance of the active medium. In fact, for appropriate parameter values, it is possible to reach values of the probe gain per single pass of around 40%. For this last case, we have considered the feedback of a ring laser cavity.

Spatial adiabatic passage processes in sonic crystals with linear defects

We investigate spatial adiabatic passage processes for sound waves propagation in sonic crystals, consisting of steel cylinders embedded in a water host medium, that present two linear defects. This work constitutes an extension of the well-known quantum optical rapid adiabatic passage technique to the field of sound propagation. Several spatial adiabatic passage devices are proposed, by appropriately designing the geometry of the two linear defects along the propagation direction, to work as a coherent multifrequency adiabatic splitter, a phase difference analyzer and a coherent multifrequency adiabatic coupler. These devices are robust in front of fluctuations of the geometric parameter values.