title: Coherent transport of neutral atoms in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials.
abstract: We demonstrate the controlled coherent transport and splitting of atomic wave packets in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials. Such experiments open intriguing possibilities for quantum state engineering of many body states. After first preparing localized atomic wave functions in an optical lattice through a Mott insulating phase, we place each atom in a superposition of two internal spin states. Then state selective optical potentials are used to split the wave function of a single atom and transport the corresponding wave packets in two opposite directions. Coherence between the wave packets of an atom delocalized over up to seven lattice sites is demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Schellingstrasse 4/III, 80799 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mandel
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greiner
authors.forename: Artur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Widera
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rom
authors.forename: Theodor W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Hänsch
authors.forename: Immanuel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bloch