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Analysis of non-Markovian coupling of a lattice-trapped atom to free space

Abstract:

Behavior analogous to that of spontaneous emission in photonic band-gap materials has been pbkp_redicted for an atom-optical system consisting of an atom confined in a well of a state-dependent optical lattice that is coupled to free space through an internal-state transition [de Vega, Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 260404 (2008)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.101.260404]. Using the Weisskopf-Wigner approach and considering a one-dimensional geometry, we analyze the properties of this system in detail, including the evolution of the lattice-trapped population, the momentum distribution of emitted matter waves, and the detailed structure of an evanescent matter-wave state below the continuum boundary. We compare and contrast our findings for the transition from Markovian to non-Markovian behaviors to those previously obtained for three dimensions.