Laser-Induced Entangled Giant Quasi-Molecules in Optical Lattices

Abstract

We analyze atom-atom interactions in optical lattices due to a laser-induced long-range interatomic force which prevails over the usual London-van der-Waals forces. This force, which can be generated by an intense laser field at a wavelength longer than that of the lattice-generating laser, is shown to bind pairs of cold atoms trapped at different lattice sites, and cause their translational quantum correlations (spatial entanglement).

arXiv commentExtended to 3D calculations, experimental possibility discussed; 6 pages including 3 figures, Revtex