Abstract. We perform a theoretical analysis of atomic four-wave mixing via a collision of two Bose–Einstein condensates of metastable helium atoms, and compare the results to a recent experiment. We calculate atom–atom pair correlations within the scattering halo produced spontaneously during the collision. We also examine the expected relative number squeezing of atoms on the sphere. The analysis includes first-principles quantum simulations using the positive P-representation method. We develop a unified description of the experimental and simulation results.

Received 11 December 2007
Published 30 April 2008