One-dimensional transport of bosons between weakly linked reservoirs

Non-Markovian master equation for quantum transport of fermionic carriers

We propose a simple, yet feasible, model for quantum transport of fermionic carriers across tight-binding chain connecting two reservoirs maintained at arbitrary temperatures and chemical potentials. The model allows for elementary derivation of the master equation for the reduced single particle density matrix (SPDM) in a closed form in both Markov and Born approximations. In the Markov approximation the master equation is solved analytically, whereas in the Born approximation the problem is reduced to an algebraic equation for the SPDM in the Redfield form. The non-Markovian equation is shown to lead to resonant transport similar to Landauer's conductance. It is shown that in the deep non-Markovian regime the transport current can be matched with that obtained by the non-equilibrium Green's function method.

Quantum State of the Fermionic Carriers in a Transport Channel Connecting Particle Reservoirs

We analyze the quantum state of fermionic carriers in a transport channel attached to a particle reservoir. The analysis is done from first principles by considering microscopic models of the reservoir and transport channel. In the case of infinite effective temperature of the reservoir we demonstrate a full agreement between the results of straightforward numerical simulations of the system dynamics and the solution of the master equation on the single-particle density matrix of the carriers in the channel. This allows us to predict the quantum state of carriers in the case where the transport channel connects two reservoirs with different chemical potentials.

Fifteen years of cold matter on the atom chip: promise, realizations, and prospects

Here we review the field of atom chips in the context of Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC) as well as cold matter in general. Twenty years after the first realization of the BEC and 15 years after the realization of the atom chip, the latter has been found to enable extraordinary feats: from producing BECs at a rate of several per second, through the realization of matter-wave interferometry, and all the way to novel probing of surfaces and new forces. In addition, technological applications are also being intensively pursued. This review will describe these developments and more, including new ideas which have not yet been realized.

Contact resistance and phase slips in mesoscopic superfluid atom transport

We have experimentally measured transport of superfluid, bosonic atoms in a mesoscopic system: a small channel connecting two large reservoirs. Starting far from equilibrium (superfluid in a single reservoir), we observe first resistive flow transitioning at a critical current into superflow, characterized by oscillations. We reproduce this full evolution with a simple electronic circuit model. We compare our fitted conductance to two different microscopic phenomenological models. We also show that the oscillations are consistent with LC oscillations as estimated by the kinetic inductance and effective capacitance in our system. Our experiment provides an attractive platform to begin to probe the mesoscopic transport properties of a dilute, superfluid, Bose gas.

Multi-wavelength holography with a single spatial light modulator for ultracold atom experiments

We demonstrate a method to independently and arbitrarily tailor the spatial profile of light of multiple wavelengths and we show possible applications to ultracold atoms experiments. A single spatial light modulator is programmed to create a pattern containing multiple spatially separated structures in the Fourier plane when illuminated with a single wavelength. When the modulator is illuminated with overlapped laser beams of different wavelengths, the position of the structures is wavelength-dependent. Hence, by designing their separations appropriately, a desired overlap of different structures at different wavelengths is obtained. We employ regional phase calculation algorithms and demonstrate several possible experimental scenarios by generating light patterns with 670 nm, 780 nm and 1064 nm laser light which are accurate to the level of a few percent. This technique is easily integrated into cold atom experiments, requiring little optical access.