Dynamics and Manipulation of Matter-Wave Solitons in Optical Superlattices

Abstract

We analyze the existence and stability of bright, dark, and gap matter-wave solitons in optical superlattices. Then, using these properties, we show that (time-dependent) ``dynamical superlattices'' can be used to controllably place, guide, and manipulate these solitons. In particular, we use numerical experiments to displace solitons by turning on a secondary lattice structure, transfer solitons from one location to another by shifting one superlattice substructure relative to the other, and implement solitonic ``path-following'', in which a matter wave follows the time-dependent lattice substructure into oscillatory motion.Comment: 6 pages, revtex, 6 figures, to appear in Physics Letters A; minor modifications from last versio