Coherent collisional spin dynamics in optical lattices.
We report on the observation of coherent, purely collisionally driven spin dynamics of neutral atoms in an optical lattice. For high lattice depths, atom pairs confined to the same lattice site show weakly damped Rabi-type oscillations between two-particle Zeeman states of equal magnetization, induced by spin-changing collisions. Moreover, measurement of the oscillation frequency allows for precise determination of the spin-changing collisional coupling strengths, which are directly related to fundamental scattering lengths describing interatomic collisions at ultracold temperatures.
Widera
Artur
A
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudingerweg 7, 55099 Mainz, Germany. Widera@Uni-Mainz.DE
Gerbier
Fabrice
F
Fölling
Simon
S
Gericke
Tatjana
T
Mandel
Olaf
O
Bloch
Immanuel
I