2006/04/30 by Tobias Kramer, M. Rodríguez, Mirta Rodriguez · 3 citations
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Spectroscopy and Laser Applications #cond-mat.other #physics.atom-ph #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreva.74.013611
published as Phys. Rev. A vol. 74, 013611 (2006) · 13 pages, 8 figures, slightly expanded version
arxiv created 2006/05/08 · openalex publication_date 2006/07/14 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We present a three-dimensional quantum-mechanical theory of radio-frequency-outcoupled atom lasers from trapped atomic gases in the presence of the gravitational force. Predictions for the total outcoupling rate as a function of the radio frequency and for the beam wave function are given. We establish a sum rule for the energy-integrated outcoupling, which leads to a separate determination of the coupling strength between the atoms and radiation field. For a noninteracting Bose-Einstein condensate analytic solutions are derived which are subsequently extended to include the effects of atomic interactions. The interactions enhance interference effects in the beam profile and modify the outcoupling rate of the atom laser. We provide a complete quantum-mechanical solution which is in line with experimental findings and allows us to determine the validity of commonly used approximative methods. We also extend the formalism to a fermionic atom laser and analyze the effect of superfluidity on the outcoupling of atoms.