Coherent control of superfluidity in a Fermi gas of atoms

Abstract

We theoretically examine photoassociation of a two-component Fermi degenerate gas, focusing on light-induced atom-atom interactions as a means to raise the critical temperature of the BCS transition to a superfluid state. As it stands, photoassociation-induced superfluidity is limited by spontaneous decay to experimentally inconvenient light intensities [Mackie et al., Opt. Express 8, 118 (2000)]. We therefore propose to use coherent control in photoassociation to a pair of molecular levels to cancel spontaneous emission, whereby the BCS transition should occur within reach of current experimental techniques.

2 pages, 1 table, 17 references; submission pending decision on venue; revised version: 3 pages, 23 refs, corrects mistaken attempt at one-laser phase control with switch to detuning control- conclusions unchanged; submitted to PRL