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Experimental observation of high-order quantum accelerator modes

S. Schlunk·M. B. d'Arcy·S. A. Gardiner·G. S. Summy
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Abstract

Using a system consisting of a freely falling cloud of cold cesium atoms periodically kicked by pulses from a vertical standing wave of laser light, we present the first experimental observation of high-order quantum accelerator modes. This confirms the recent prediction by Fishman, Guarneri, and Rebuzzini [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 084101 (2002)]. We also show how these accelerator modes can be identified with the stable regions of phase space in a classical-like chaotic system, despite their intrinsically quantum origin.

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S. Schlunk, M. B. d'Arcy, S. A. Gardiner, G. S. Summy. 2002-12-03. Experimental observation of high-order quantum accelerator modes. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.90.124102

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