Superfluid rings as quantum pendulums

Abstract

A nondispersive quantum pendulum is presented. The proposed setup consists of an ultracold atomic cloud, featuring attractive interatomic interactions, loaded into a tilted ring potential. The classical and quantum domains are switched on by tuned interactions, and the classical dynamical stabilization of unstable states, i.e., à la Kapitza, is shown to be driven by quantum phase imprinting. One potential application of this system as a gravimeter is discussed.