Fig. 3
From: Experimental realization of a non-magnetic one-way spin switch
Progression of dynamics during a barrier sweep. a–d The potential barrier, represented by the red vertical line, moves to the right at \(v_{\mathrm{b}}=2\,{\mathrm{mm}}\,{\mathrm{s}^{-1}}\). Atoms initially occupying the |↑〉 state are transferred to the |↓〉 state as the sweep progresses. Experimental absorption images are taken after 10.1 ms time-of-flight, during which a Stern–Gerlach imaging technique is used to vertically separate the individual spin states. Images correspond to times a t = 22 ms, b t = 87 ms, c t = 130 ms, and d t = 195 ms into the sweep. e Spin polarization during the sweep. Data points are mean ± s.d. for five experimental runs at each measured time for a barrier moving at \(v_{\mathrm{b}}=+2\,{\mathrm{mm}}\,{\mathrm{s}^{-1}}\) (red circles) and \(v_{\mathrm{b}}=-2\,{\mathrm{mm}}\,{\mathrm{s}^{-1}}\) (blue triangles). Red and blue solid curves are numerical Gross–Piteavskii equation (GPE) simulations for right and left moving barriers, respectively. f BEC remains in the |↑〉 state after a +15 mm s−1 full barrier sweep
