Theoretical study of a cold atom beam splitter
  A theoretical model is presented for the study of the dynamics of a cold atomic cloud falling in the gravity &#64257;eld in the presence of two crossing dipole guides. The cloud is split between the two branches of this laser guide, and we compare experimental measurements of the splitting ef&#64257;ciency with semiclassical simulations. We then explore the possibilities of optimization of this beam splitter. Our numerical study also gives access to detailed information, such as the atom temperature after the splitting. 
Naceur Gaaloul (PPM, LSAMA), Annick Suzor-Weiner (PPM), Laurence   Pruvost (LAC), Mourad Telmini (LSAMA), Eric Charron (PPM)