2013/02/28 by M. Palmero, E. Torrontegui, M. Modugno +1 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #quant-ph #cond-mat.quant-gas
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreva.87.053618
published as Physical Review A 87, 053618 (2013) · 5 pages, 4 figures
arxiv created 2013/05/13 · arxiv updated 2014/11/21
Quantum backflow is a classically forbidden effect consisting in a negative flux for states with negligible negative momentum components. It has never been observed experimentally so far. We derive a general relation that connects backflow with a critical value of the particle density, paving the way for the detection of backflow by a density measurement. To this end, we propose an explicit scheme with Bose-Einstein condensates, at reach with current experimental technologies. Remarkably, the application of a positive momentum kick, via a Bragg pulse, to a condensate with a positive velocity may cause a current flow in the negative direction.