Atom holography

We study the conditions under which atomic condensates can be used as holog raphic recording media and then suggest a scheme which allows us to reconst ruct the original object with an atomic reading beam. The recording method relies on the observation that the shape of a condensate in the Thomas-Ferm i limit closely follows the form of the confining potential. Holographic in formation can thus be stored as density modulations. The reading scheme pro ceeds in analogy to optical Fresnel sideband holography with an atomic beam replacing the reading laser. [S1050-2947(99)03511-8].