Bose-Einstein Condensation in a Weakly Interacting Atomic Gas

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Project objective

Research objectives and content The aim of my research project is to study Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) in a weakly interacting atomic gas, the role of the interatomic interactions in determining the mechanical properties of the condensate and (non-destructive) ways of probing it using light and radio frequency transitions. Recently, this field has achieved a very high profile through the observation of BEC in a sample of ultra-cold trapped rubidium atoms (Anderson et al., Science, 14 July 1995, p.198). Their successful technique for producing the phase density required to see such collective quantum effects was laser cooling followed by evaporative cooling in a magnetic trap, the TOP-trap (Time-averaged Orbiting Potential). The Oxford group is using a TOP-trap with the purpose to achieve BEC on caesium atoms. In their most recent results they showed that collisions between cold atoms are an important limitation in this system. Various way of overcoming these collisional processes have been proposed theoretically, including working at low magnetic fields and in the near future these ideas will be investigated experimentally.Training content (objective benefit and expected impact)In the longer term the ability, to manipulate BEC condensate in the time and space could lead to bright sources of matter-waves which could be focused very tightly (lithography) and greatly increase the sensitivity of interferometers. However there is much new physics to be understood out these coherent sources of matter- waves before they can be applied.Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)

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Participants

• THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD · OXFORDCoordinatorUnited Kingdom

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