Quantum Tweezer for Atoms

Author :Roberto B. Diener, Biao Wu, Mark G. Raizen, and Qian Niu
Publication :Physical Review Letters
Publisher :The American Physical Society
Volume :89
Number :7
Pages :070401
Year :2002

We propose a quantum tweezer for extracting a desired number of neutral atoms from a reservoir. A
trapped Bose-Einstein condensate is used as the reservoir, taking advantage of its coherent nature, which
can guarantee a constant outcome. The tweezer is an attractive quantum dot, which may be generated by
red-detuned laser light. By moving at certain speeds, the dot can extract a desired number of atoms from
the condensate through Landau-Zener tunneling. The feasibility of our quantum tweezer is demonstrated
through realistic and extensive model calculations.