Abstract
We consider a single atom in an optical lattice, subject to a harmonic trapping potential. The problem is treated in the tight-binding approximation, with an extra parameter kappa denoting the strength of the harmonic trap. It is shown that the kappa-->0 limit of this problem is singular, in the sense that the density of states for a very shallow trap (kappa-->0) is qualitatively different from that of a translationally invariant lattice (kappa=0). The physics of this difference is discussed, and densities of states and wave functions are exhibited and explained.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 080404 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 93 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 1 Aug 2004 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2004 |