Tunable optical lattices for the creation of matter-wave lattice solitons

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Cruickshank, Robbie and La Rooij, Arthur and Kerr, Ethan F. and Hilker, Timon and Kuhr, Stefan and Haller, Elmar (2026) Tunable optical lattices for the creation of matter-wave lattice solitons. Optics Express, 34 (1). pp. 623-637. ISSN 1094-4087 (https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.581265)

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Abstract

We present experimental techniques that employ an optical accordion lattice with dynamically tunable spacing to create and study bright matter-wave solitons in optical lattices. The system allows precise control of lattice parameters over a wide range of lattice spacings and depths. We detail calibration methods for the lattice parameters which are adjusted to the varying lattice spacing, and we demonstrate site-resolved atom number preparation via microwave addressing. Lattice solitons are generated through rapid quenches of the atomic interaction strength and the external trapping potential. We systematically optimize the quench parameters, such as duration and final scattering length, to maximize soliton stability. Our results provide insight into nonlinear matter-wave dynamics in discretized systems and establish a versatile platform for the controlled study of lattice solitons.

ORCID iDs

Cruickshank, Robbie ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8662-294X, La Rooij, Arthur ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6166-1326, Kerr, Ethan F. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3600-1258, Hilker, Timon ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1012-5750, Kuhr, Stefan ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8386-5357 and Haller, Elmar ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7951-1721;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)