DipInQuantum · Dipolar quantum gases of Dysprosium
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2016-04-01 → 2018-05-29
- EU contribution
- €159,461
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-ST
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Results in brief
Dipolar quantum gases of Dysprosium
Our project was aimed at investigating dipolar superfluids. A superfluid is a fluid which shows extraordinary properties like the ability to flow without friction. These properties arise at very low temperatures, because these fluids are not described by the usual laws of room temperature but obey quantum mechanics. In a dipolar superfluid, the particles composing the fluid are magnetic. They then interact with each other like magnets, which modify the properties of the fluid. The effects of magnetic interactions on normal fluids have been studied in the past, these magnetic fluids are called ferrofluids. Our project was then aimed at exploring how the magnetic interaction can modify the properties of superfluids which one can then call "quantum ferrofluids", and how these interactions can lead to new effects and new phases of matter. A famous example in ferrofluids is the Rosensweig instability, where an external magnetic field induces a stable pattern of peaks and valleys at the surface of a ferrofluid. In the context of superfluids, this spontaneous appearance of structure raises a very fundamental question: Can a system become ordered, and still remain superfluid in the sense that matter can flow without friction? This quest for this state that is called a "supersolid" is was one of the motivations for our project. Specifically we have used Dysprosium atoms which have very strong magnetic properties and can be cooled to very low temperatures where they form a superfluid. This basic research is driven by the general goal of harnessing quantum effects in future application. Understanding superfluidity creates a strong theoretical knowledge. This knowledge will then serve as a basis in the search for applications were the extraordinary properties studied could be used in settings amenable to real-life applications. In addition this research is very competitive and technically challenging, as a consequence, the training received both by the Experienced Researcher (ER) and graduate students working on the project will clearly benefit the European society and economy.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
In ultracold gases, novel physics can be explored taking advantage of the long-range, anisotropic interaction present between atoms or molecules with a large dipole. Such systems were probed first with Chromium atoms at the 5. Physikalisches Institut in Stuttgart (host institution). Lanthanide atoms carrying a stronger dipole moment have recently lifted high hopes for ground-breaking experiments with dipole-dipole interactions (DDI), our proposal plans on using Dysprosium. We aim to explore many-body physics associated with bosonic dipolar systems, in particular the spontaneous structuring of the ground state and the possible supersolid state. To do so we will use a high-resolution in-trap imaging of quasi-two- dimensional atomic clouds, with which we can image density modulations of the ground state revealing the first signs of long-range order. To pursue in this direction, we will study dipolar gases placed in tailored potentials, indeed the ground state in particular potential landscapes should display self-ordering and in some cases self-induced Josephson oscillations. Using the fermionic isotopes of Dysprosium, we plan on extending these methods to dipolar fermionic systems which are predicted to exhibit rich physics.Many proposals require an independent control of the short-range isotropic interaction. This requirement can be met by the use of magnetic Feshbach resonances present in Dysprosium. They offer the possibility to fine-tune the contact interaction despite the complex electronic structure of Dysprosium. Furthermore broad resonances will enable us to investigate few- body bound states, whose nature is modified in the presence of DDI.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART · StuttgartCoordinatorGermany
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union