Investigation and comparison of multi-state and two-state atom laser output-couplers

We investigate the spatial structure and temporal dynamics created in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) by radio-frequency (RF) atom laser output-couplers using a one-dimensional mean-field model. We compare the behavior of a `pure' two-state atom laser to the multi-level systems demonstrated in laboratories. In particular, we investigate the peak homogeneous output flux, classical fluctuations in the beam and the onset of a bound state which shuts down the atom laser output.