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Veselago lensing with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice

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  • Martin Leder

    (Institut für Angewandte Physik der Universität Bonn)

  • Christopher Grossert

    (Institut für Angewandte Physik der Universität Bonn)

  • Martin Weitz

    (Institut für Angewandte Physik der Universität Bonn)

Abstract

Veselago pointed out that electromagnetic wave theory allows for materials with a negative index of refraction, in which most known optical phenomena would be reversed. A slab of such a material can focus light by negative refraction, an imaging technique strikingly different from conventional positive refractive index optics, where curved surfaces bend the rays to form an image of an object. Here we demonstrate Veselago lensing for matter waves, using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. A relativistic, that is, photon-like, dispersion relation for rubidium atoms is realized with a bichromatic optical lattice potential. We rely on a Raman π-pulse technique to transfer atoms between two different branches of the dispersion relation, resulting in a focusing that is completely analogous to the effect described by Veselago for light waves. Future prospects of the demonstrated effects include novel sub-de Broglie wavelength imaging applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Leder & Christopher Grossert & Martin Weitz, 2014. "Veselago lensing with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-6, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms4327
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4327
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