Hidden symmetry and nonlinear paraxial atom optics

Paraxial Optics

Paraxial optics is sometimes known as the Gaussian optics. It is the simplest framework where optical systems are described. A great variety of textbooks in optics include specific chapters to the paraxial approximation of the geometrical optics. Other textbooks focused in geometrical optics propose that the paraxial treatment should be included as part of the first approach to the subject. The...

Paraxial ray optics cloaking.

Despite much interest and progress in optical spatial cloaking, a three-dimensional (3D), transmitting, continuously multidirectional cloak in the visible regime has not yet been demonstrated. Here we experimentally demonstrate such a cloak using ray optics, albeit with some edge effects. Our device requires no new materials, uses isotropic off-the-shelf optics, scales easily to cloak arbitrari...

Quantum and Atom Optics

Nonlinear Atom Optics: Multi-wave mixing with matter waves

Experimental tests of quantum nonlinear dynamics in atom optics

Cold atoms in optical potentials provide an ideal test bed to explore quantum nonlinear dynamics. Atoms are prepared in a magneto-optic trap or as a dilute Bose–Einstein condensate and subjected to a far detuned optical standing wave that is modulated. They exhibit a wide range of dynamics, some of which can be explained by classical theory while other aspects show the underlying quantum nature...