The ability to reliably transport ultracold atoms is a highly sought feature in a range offields including quantum and ultracold atomic sciences. Here, we merge the typicallyseparate fields of ultracold atomic physics and nonlinear optical systems, proposing touse light that carries orbital angular momentum (OAM) as a reliable atomic guide. By theoretically and numerically considering atom-light interactions where the two involved fields co-propagate, we open several novel approaches to structure formation, atomic localisation, trapping, and atomic guiding. By additionally considering a physical setup in which the interactions occur within a driven optical cavity, we extend this work to outline the capacity for further atomic transport, rich pattern formation, alternative mechanisms for atomic vortex lattice formation, and persistent current generation. These results are of significant prospective interest across a range of settings in which ultracold atomic systems are studied and applied, including in atomic transport, atomtronics, quantum and superfluid simulation, and vortex simulation.
Date of Award | 10 Nov 2023 |
---|
Original language | English |
---|
Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
|
---|
Sponsors | EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) |
---|
Supervisor | Alison Yao (Supervisor) & Gian-Luca Oppo (Supervisor) |
---|