
pmid: 16606065
arXiv: cond-mat/0509281
We study the propagation of a non-interacting atom laser distorted by the strong lensing effect of the Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) from which it is outcoupled. We observe a transverse structure containing caustics that vary with the density within the residing BEC. Using WKB approximation, Fresnel-Kirchhoff integral formalism and ABCD matrices, we are able to describe analytically the atom laser propagation. This allows us to characterize the quality of the non-ideal atom laser beam by a generalized M$^2$ factor defined in analogy to photon lasers. Finally we measure this quality factor for different lensing effects.
Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph), FOS: Physical sciences, interactions, ABCD matrices, Physics - Atomic Physics, Condensed Matter - Other Condensed Matter, atom laser, Fresnel-Kirshhoff, [PHYS.COND.CM-GEN] Physics [physics]/Condensed Matter [cond-mat]/Other [cond-mat.other], [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-ATOM-PH] Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atomic Physics [physics.atom-ph], M2 factor, Other Condensed Matter (cond-mat.other)
Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph), FOS: Physical sciences, interactions, ABCD matrices, Physics - Atomic Physics, Condensed Matter - Other Condensed Matter, atom laser, Fresnel-Kirshhoff, [PHYS.COND.CM-GEN] Physics [physics]/Condensed Matter [cond-mat]/Other [cond-mat.other], [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-ATOM-PH] Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Atomic Physics [physics.atom-ph], M2 factor, Other Condensed Matter (cond-mat.other)
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