An $\mathbf{\epsilon}$-pseudoclassical model for quantum resonances in a   cold dilute atomic gas periodically driven by finite-duration standing-wave   laser pulses
  Atom interferometers are a useful tool for precision measurements of fundamental physical phenomena, ranging from local gravitational field strength to the atomic fine structure constant. In such experiments, it is desirable to implement a high momentum transfer "beam-splitter," which may be achieved by inducing quantum resonance in a finite-temperature laser-driven atomic gas. We use Monte Carlo simulations to investigate these quantum resonances in the regime where the gas receives laser pulses of finite duration, and demonstrate that an $\epsilon$-classical model for the dynamics of the gas atoms is capable of reproducing quantum resonant behavior for both zero-temperature and finite-temperature non-interacting gases. We show that this model agrees well with the fully quantum treatment of the system over a time-scale set by the choice of experimental parameters. We also show that this model is capable of correctly treating the time-reversal mechanism necessary for implementing an interferometer with this physical configuration. 
Benjamin T. Beswick, Hippolyte P. A. G. Astier, Simon A. Gardiner,   Ifan G. Hughes, Mikkel F. Andersen and Boris Daszuta
quant-ph cond-mat.quant-gas nlin.CD physics.atom-ph