中国物理B ›› 2026, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (8): 83701-083701.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/ae15f9

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Observation and analysis of the center-of-mass position trajectory for trapped ultracold atoms

Zhi-Xin Duan(段志鑫)1,2, Ru-Fang Zhao(赵茹方)1, Wei-Tao Wu(吴炜韬)1, and Sheng-Jun Yang(杨胜军)1,2,†   

  1. 1 Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, School of Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China;
    2 International Quantum Academy, Shenzhen 518048, China
  • 收稿日期:2025-09-13 修回日期:2025-10-15 接受日期:2025-10-22 发布日期:2026-08-06
  • 通讯作者: Sheng-Jun Yang E-mail:yangsj@sustech.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    Project supported by the Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, China (Grant No. 2019ZT08X324) and the Fund from Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory (Grant No. 2019B121203002).

Observation and analysis of the center-of-mass position trajectory for trapped ultracold atoms

Zhi-Xin Duan(段志鑫)1,2, Ru-Fang Zhao(赵茹方)1, Wei-Tao Wu(吴炜韬)1, and Sheng-Jun Yang(杨胜军)1,2,†   

  1. 1 Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, School of Science, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China;
    2 International Quantum Academy, Shenzhen 518048, China
  • Received:2025-09-13 Revised:2025-10-15 Accepted:2025-10-22 Published:2026-08-06
  • Contact: Sheng-Jun Yang E-mail:yangsj@sustech.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project supported by the Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, China (Grant No. 2019ZT08X324) and the Fund from Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory (Grant No. 2019B121203002).

摘要: Optical dipole traps are indispensable tools in ultracold atomic physics, and precise understanding and control of atomic dynamics within the traps are critically important. Here, applying a magnetic gradient to perturb dipole-trapped ultracold atoms, we investigate the trajectory of the center of mass positions (CoMPs) when atoms are either in a single spin state ($\left|F=1, m_F=-1\right>$) or in the pseudospin-mixed states ($\left|F=1, m_F=-1\right>$ and $\left|F=1, m_F=0\right>$). Unlike just treating the conventional time-of-flight (TOF) imaging as atomic momentum distribution, we present a methodology in-depth for accurate information about the atomic spatial trajectory evolution. This approach circumvents the need for complex and resource-intensive in-situ high-resolution imaging, broadening the accessibility of dynamic studies, and trap characterization across ultracold atoms. It can be directly used for fine-calibrating parameters of the trap potential and studying the atomic dynamical evolution, which will benefit various research areas of ultracold atoms.

关键词: dipole-trapped ultracold atoms, center-of-mass position trajectory, gradient-field perturbation, spin mixture, spin dipole oscillation, spin drag

Abstract: Optical dipole traps are indispensable tools in ultracold atomic physics, and precise understanding and control of atomic dynamics within the traps are critically important. Here, applying a magnetic gradient to perturb dipole-trapped ultracold atoms, we investigate the trajectory of the center of mass positions (CoMPs) when atoms are either in a single spin state ($\left|F=1, m_F=-1\right>$) or in the pseudospin-mixed states ($\left|F=1, m_F=-1\right>$ and $\left|F=1, m_F=0\right>$). Unlike just treating the conventional time-of-flight (TOF) imaging as atomic momentum distribution, we present a methodology in-depth for accurate information about the atomic spatial trajectory evolution. This approach circumvents the need for complex and resource-intensive in-situ high-resolution imaging, broadening the accessibility of dynamic studies, and trap characterization across ultracold atoms. It can be directly used for fine-calibrating parameters of the trap potential and studying the atomic dynamical evolution, which will benefit various research areas of ultracold atoms.

Key words: dipole-trapped ultracold atoms, center-of-mass position trajectory, gradient-field perturbation, spin mixture, spin dipole oscillation, spin drag

中图分类号:  (Atom traps and guides)

  • 37.10.Gh
67.30.hj (Spin dynamics) 34.50.-s (Scattering of atoms and molecules)