Bonn 2000 – scientific programme

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A: Atomphysik

A 21: Poster II

A 21.10: Poster

Thursday, April 6, 2000, 17:00–19:30, Aula

Phase-resolution limit in macroscopic interference between Bose condensates — •Sigmund Kohler and Fernando Sols — Faculdad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

We study the competition between phase definition and quantum phase fluctuations in interference experiments between independently formed Bose condensates. While phase-sensitive detection of atoms makes the phase progressively better defined, interactions tend to randomize it faster as the uncertainty in the relative particle number grows. A steady state is reached when the two effects cancel each other. Then the phase resolution saturates to a value that grows with the ratio between the interaction strength and the atom detection rate, and the average phase and number begin to fluctuate classically. This process can be interpreted as partial measurement of conjugate variables, namely relative particle number and phase, and results in the formation of coherent states in these variables. We discuss how our study applies to both recently performed and possible future experiments.