Bose-einstein condensation as an atom laser - theoretical aspects and applications to lithography and interferometry

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Project objective

Research and content The recent experimental progress in Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) of weakly interacting atomic gases has provided us with a new form of quantum matter. Among all the possible applications that a BEC could achieved, its use as a new source of coherent matter waves (atom laser) is receiving an increasing interest nowdays. The project presented here proposes to study the use of a BEC as an atom laser source that, by using light force techniques, can be well focused on a substrate in order to write either mesoscopic or nanoscopic scaled structures (lithography). Different fundamental aspects of the atom laser will be studied, e.g., the ultimate limit of focusing, the role played by the interatomic interactions, and the effect introduced by the gravitational potential on the atomic velocity distribution. Also, decoherence effects in the atom laser (photon spontaneous emission, scattering process, etc.) will be quantitatively studied in order to control their perturbation on the atomic wave interference properties. From a practical point of view, we shall studied the implementation of atom lasers as a tool to create structures which are scientifically and technologically useful. In particular, we shall examinate experimental and theoretical factors governing resolution, contrast, and the creation of highly precision arbitrary patterns.The training potential that this proposal would mean for the applicant twofold. On the one hand, he can supply his experience on propagation and scattering of light and other electromagnetic waves from structures of arbitrary shape. The applicant did his Ph. D. on the extension of the optical physics techniques to obtain subwavelength optical resolutions (Near Field Optics). On the other hand, the applicant would take advantage of the host institution experience in quantum physics problems and, in particular, in its potential training on light-matter interaction, quantum statistical mechanics, mean field theory, etc.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• LEOPOLD-FRANZENS-UNIVERSITAET INNSBRUCK · INNSBRUCKCoordinatorAustria

Links

• View on CORDIS