Observation of high-order quantum resonances in the kicked rotor.
Quantum resonances in the kicked rotor are characterized by a dramatically increased energy absorption rate, in stark contrast to the momentum localization generally observed. These resonances occur when the scaled Planck's constant Planck's [over ]=r/s 4pi, for any integers r and s. However, only the variant Planck's [over ]=r2pi resonances are easily observable. We have observed high-order quantum resonances (s>2) utilizing a sample of low energy, noncondensed atoms and a pulsed optical standing wave. Resonances are observed for variant Planck's [over ]=r/16 4pi for integers r=2-6. Quantum numerical simulations suggest that our observation of high-order resonances indicate a larger coherence length (i.e., coherence between different wells) than expected from an initially thermal atomic sample.
Kanem
J F
JF
Centre for Quantum Information & Quantum Control, University of Toronto, 60 St. George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A7.
Maneshi
S
S
Partlow
M
M
Spanner
M
M
Steinberg
A M
AM