Inferring rotations using a bosonic Josephson junction
Phys. Rev. A 114, 033305 – Published 2 September, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/r5wq-lhcr
Abstract
Rotation and quantum tunneling are fundamental concepts in physics, and their interplay in the ultracold atomic systems is of particular interest. In this theoretical work, we investigate the tunneling dynamics of ultracold bosons in a rotating two-dimensional bosonic Josephson junction and show that they offer an alternative pathway for inferring the rotation frequency. Using mean-field and many-body analyses, we demonstrate that rotation strongly modifies the tunneling time period as well as the momentum and angular momentum dynamics. For a double well centered on the rotation axis, these observables exhibit distinct dependences on the rotation frequency, enabling its assessment from the tunneling dynamics. When the double well is displaced from the rotation axis, rotation induces asymmetric tunneling and partial self-trapping, allowing both the rotation frequency and the displacement to be inferred. We further show that an off-centered double well exhibits pronounced orientation-dependent dynamics, making it possible to determine the orientation of the potential. The many-body analysis further shows that the depletion dynamics is strongly influenced by rotation, providing an additional tool for assessing the rotation frequency. Finally, we consider a time-dependent protocol in which the double well is gradually set into rotation in the laboratory frame and identify characteristic signatures that depend on the switching time. Together, these results establish a comprehensive framework for inferring the rotation frequency, radial displacement, and orientation directly from the tunneling dynamics.
