M-BEC · Bose-Einstein Condensation of Ground State Molecules
FP7 — People (Marie Curie Actions)
- Duration
- 2008-03-01 → 2010-02-28
- EU contribution
- €160,750
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MC-IIF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Bose-Einstein Condensation of Ground State Molecules
The specific aim of this project is to produce a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) of rovibronic ground state molecules; i.e. molecules in the lowest vibrational and rotational level of the electronic molecular ground state. This BEC will serve as an ideal starting point for investigation of molecular collisional processes in the zero-temperature limit and for the study of fully coherent chemical processes. This project is intended to bridge the boundaries between atomic, molecular and condensed matter physics with strong linking to the newly emerging field of ultracold chemistry. This goal to produce a rovibronic ground state molecular BEC is a prime example of the broader direction of the research pursued through this endeavor, that of investigating the fundamental physics of the quantum mechanical interactions of matter. Application of this research can be found in precision measurements of fundamental physical constants and preparation of new many-body states which can be used as model systems for studying condensed matter physics. The goal of production of a molecular BEC also requires the joining of many techniques used in cutting-edge atomic physics research, such as atomic quantum gas production, the manipulation of zero-temperature many-body states within the potentials formed by optical lattices, precision spectroscopic and laser control techniques, and the characterization of few-body interactions. The application of these experimental techniques offers the ability to study several physical phenomena. Thus, the multiple results of this project have been the realization of the rovibronic ground state molecular system near quantum degeneracy, the characterization of resonant few body physics within confined geometries and the use of this to realize exotic states of matter and novel types of phase transitions of zero temperature gases, and the characterization of coherent matter-wave physics within the periodic potentials of optical lattices.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The aim of this project is to create a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) of ro-vibrational ground state molecules. A BEC of molecules in the ro-vibrational ground state can be used as a “molecular matter wave laser”. It will serve as an ideal starting point for the investigation of collisional processes in the zero-temperature limit and for the study of fully coherent chemical processes. It will be a bright and extremely narrow-band source for precision molecular spectroscopy, and it will provide a testing ground for elaborate strategies to form condensates of more complex molecular systems. This project is intended to bridge the boundaries between atomic, molecular and condensed matter physics with strong linking to the newly emerging field of ultracold chemistry. The project proposes a specific route to produce a BEC of ro-vibrational ν=0 and J=0 ground state Cs2 dimer molecules by taking weakly bound molecules associated on a Feshbach resonance and transferring them to the ro-vibrational ground state of the singlet molecular potential using two stages of optical two-photon transfer. For this an optically trapped BEC of Cs atoms is first loaded into an optical lattice to form a Mott insulator state with precisely two atoms per lattice site. Weakly bound dimer molecules are then formed out of the atomic Mott insulator state by means of the Feshbach association technique. Confinement at each lattice site shields the molecules from inelastic collisions until they are transferred to the ground state. Optical transfer is achieved by the STIRAP technique using phase-locked diode lasers referenced to a frequency comb. Two successive stages of STIRAP are need to bridge the internuclear distance and to remove a binding energy corresponding to about 3650 wavenumbers. After the transfer, the molecules are released from the lattice into the initial larger volume optical trap. The ensemble of ground state molecules will then form the state of a molecular BEC.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- UNIVERSITAET INNSBRUCK · InnsbruckCoordinatorAustria
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union