Quantum Accelerator Modes in the Absence of Gravity

The experimental study of cold atoms kicked by a pulsed optical standing wave and falling under gravity has led to the important discovery of the “quantum accelerator modes” (QAMs). It is shown that QAMs in the absence of gravity can feature a rotational quasiregularity which cannot be found in the usual QAMs. Thus, QAMs with non-accelerating quasiregular segments may be used to control the quantum motion of atoms in a way which is not possible in the presence of gravity