Monte Carlo investigation of an atom laser with a modulated quasi-one-dimensional cavity

The dynamics of a recently proposed atom laser scheme based on a modulated quasi-one-dimensional atom cavity are investigated. A three-mode model is developed which includes the effects of dipole–dipole collisions as well as pump and loss mechanisms. It is shown that the Monte Carlo wavefunction simulation technique is superior to a direct solution of the resulting master equation because of the existence of constants of motion which are present in the Monte Carlo wavefunctions but not in the full density operator. Under suitable parameter choices, the solution to the master equation leads to Poissonian atom statistics in the occupation of a single-atomic-cavity mode, analogous to the photon statistics of the optical laser. A threshold behaviour is predicted as the losses are varied relative to the gain for the laser mode.