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Synchronization of a self-sustained cold atom oscillator
Citation
Heimonen, H., Kwek, L. C., Kaiser, R., & Labeyrie, G. (2018). Synchronization of a self-sustained cold atom oscillator. Physical Review A, 97, Article 043406. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.97.043406
Abstract
Nonlinear oscillations and synchronisation phenomena are ubiquitous in nature. We study the synchronization of self oscillating magneto-optically trapped cold atoms to a weak external driving. The oscillations arise from a dynamical instability due the competition between the screened magneto-optical trapping force and the inter-atomic repulsion due to multiple scattering of light. A weak modulation of the trapping force allows the oscillations of the cloud to synchronize to the driving. The synchronization frequency range increases with the forcing amplitude. The corresponding Arnold tongue is experimentally measured and compared to theoretical predictions. Phase-locking between the oscillator and drive is also observed.
Date Issued
2018
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal
Physical Review A