Coherent manipulation and guiding of Bose–Einstein condensates by optical dipole potentials

The coherent manipulation of Bose–Einstein condensates by far blue detuned optical dipole potentials is discussed in two regimes. The local manipulation of the phase of the condensate wavefunction by temporally applied dipole potentials represents a powerful tool for the design of matter waves. We use this method in particular for the creation of dark solitons in Bose–Einstein condensates and study their dynamics. Spatially inhomogeneous dipole potentials like far blue detuned doughnut laser beams can be used for the creation of Bose–Einstein condensates within a waveguide structure.