Spin-orbital-angular-momentum coupling in Bose-Einstein condensates

Kuei Sun, Chunlei Qu, Chuanwei Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) plays a crucial role in many branches of physics. In this context, the recent experimental realization of the coupling between spin and linear momentum of ultracold atoms opens a completely new avenue for exploring new spin-related superfluid physics. Here we propose that another important and fundamental SOC, the coupling between spin and orbital angular momentum (SOAM), can be implemented for ultracold atoms using higher-order Laguerre-Gaussian laser beams to induce Raman coupling between two hyperfine spin states of atoms. We study the ground-state phase diagrams of SOAM-coupled Bose-Einstein condensates on a ring trap and explore their applications in gravitational force detection. Our results may provide the basis for further investigation of intriguing superfluid physics induced by SOAM coupling, such as collective excitations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number063627
JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume91
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Jun 2015

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