34 research outputs found
Multi frequency evaporative cooling to BEC in a high magnetic field
We demonstrate a way to circumvent the interruption of evaporative cooling
observed at high bias field for Rb atoms trapped in the (F=2, m=+2)
ground state. Our scheme uses a 3-frequencies-RF-knife achieved by mixing two
RF frequencies. This compensates part of the non linearity of the Zeeman
effect, allowing us to achieve BEC where standard 1-frequency-RF-knife
evaporation method did not work. We are able to get efficient evaporative
cooling, provided that the residual detuning between the transition and the RF
frequencies in our scheme is smaller than the power broadening of the RF
transitions at the end of the evaporation ramp.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure
Atomic dynamics in evaporative cooling of trapped alkali atoms in strong magnetic fields
We investigate how the nonlinearity of the Zeeman shift for strong magnetic
fields affects the dynamics of rf field induced evaporative cooling in magnetic
traps. We demonstrate for the 87-Rb and 23-Na F=2 trapping states with wave
packet simulations how the cooling stops when the rf field frequency goes below
a certain limit (for the 85-Rb F=2 trapping state the problem does not appear).
We examine the applicability of semiclassical models for the strong field case
as an extension of our previous work [Phys. Rev. A 58, 3983 (1998)]. Our
results verify many of the aspects observed in a recent Rb experiment
[Phys. Rev. A 60, R1759 (1999)].Comment: 9 pages, RevTex, eps figures embedde
Double-well magnetic trap for Bose-Einstein condensates
We present a magnetic trapping scheme for neutral atoms based on a hybrid of
Ioffe-Pritchard and Time-averaged Orbiting Potential traps. The resulting
double-well magnetic potential has readily controllable barrier height and well
separation. This offers a new tool for studying the behavior of Bose
condensates in double-well potentials, including atom interferometry and
Josephson tunneling. We formulate a description for the potential of this
magnetic trap and discuss practical issues such as loading with atoms,
evaporative cooling and manipulating the potential.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, Revtex
Coherent matter wave inertial sensors for precision measurements in space
We analyze the advantages of using ultra-cold coherent sources of atoms for
matter-wave interferometry in space. We present a proof-of-principle experiment
that is based on an analysis of the results previously published in [Richard et
al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 91, 010405 (2003)] from which we extract the ratio h/m
for 87Rb. This measurement shows that a limitation in accuracy arises due to
atomic interactions within the Bose-Einstein condensate
GRADIOMĂTRE GRAVIFIQUE Ă ATOMES FROIDS
La présente invention concerne un systÚme de gradiomÚtre gravifique à atomes froids comprenant une source de laser qui produit un faisceau laser qui se propage le long d'une direction de propagation. Le systÚme comprend en outre un réflecteur qui réfléchit une partie du faisceau laser et transmet une autre partie du faisceau laser (la partie transmise). Un second réflecteur spatialement séparé su premier réflecteur le long de la direction de propagation réfléchit la partie transmise du faisceau laser
Spontaneous light scattering from propagating density fluctuations in an optical lattice
We report the observation of resonances in the intensity correlation spectra
of a 3D rubidium optical lattice, which we attribute to light scattering
from propagating atomic density fluctuations in the lattice. This process is
the spontaneous analog of the stimulated scattering mechanism recently
described by Courtois et al. [CITE]. We investigate the
dependence of the new resonances on the lattice angle and show that they
disappear for large angles, thus resolving previous discrepancies on the
subject
Complications of laparoscopic treatment of esophageal achalasia in children
Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate
the incidence and management of the complications that
occurred in some children who underwent laparoscopic
Hellerâs esophagocardiomyotomy in the authorsâ institutions.
Methods: Between March 1993 and October 1998, the files of
all the children with achalasia who underwent laparoscopic
Hellerâs esophagocardiomyotomy in a community hospital in
Naples, Italy, and a private hospital in Paris, France, were
reviewed. A 5-port technique was used associating Hellerâs
esophagocardiomyotomy to an antireflux surgical mechanism
(Dorâs or Toupetâs) in all cases. Intra- and postoperative
complications, as well as the postoperative outcome, were
evaluated.
Results: Ten laparoscopic Hellerâs esophagocardiomyotomies
were performed in 5 girls and 5 boys with achalasia.
Age ranged between 2 and 13 years. Mean operating time
was 120 minutes. Hospital stay ranged between 3 and 41
days. Complications were recorded in 3 patients: in 2 an
esophageal mucosal perforation and in 1 a prolonged dysphagia.
Two of these complications occurred in the last patients
operated on. Follow-up varied from 6 months to 6 years. All
children were free of symptoms.
Conclusions: The results show that laparoscopic Hellerâs
esophagocardiomyotomy in children is a feasible procedure.
Assessment of mucosal integrity immediately after the myotomy
must be performed. Complications can happen even if
the operation is performed by expert laparoscopic surgeons
Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy for the treatment of achalasia in children: a preliminary report of eight cases
Background: Albeit rare in children, achalasia is a disorder
with severe symptoms that causes growth impairment. The
treatment of choice in children is the esophagomyotomy,
although there are variations in the surgical approaches
available and differences of opinion regarding the inclusion
of an adjunctive antireflux procedure. The recent advent of
the laparoscopic approach has had a profound impact on the
treatment of achalasia in both adults and children.
Methods: In this report, we describe eight patients with
severe achalasia who were treated by laparoscopic Hellerâs
operation associated with a fundoplication according to either
Dorâs or Toupetâs technique. The patientsâ ages ranged
between 2 and 13 years. A five-port technique was used: a
10-mm port placed infraumbilically for the optics and four
5-mm ports. One was placed in the right abdominal quadrant
for retraction of the left hepatic lobe, one in the left
abdominal quadrant for the first operative instrument, one
below the xyphoid appendix for the second operative instrument,
and the last one to introduce a 5-mm cannula
laterally to the umbilicus to retract the stomach below. A
7â8-cm laparoscopic Heller esophagomyotomy was completed,
followed by an anterior Dor fundoplication in six
cases and a Toupet in two. The longitudinal division of the
anterior esophageal musculature was performed with a scalpel
or scissors. The myotomy was made along the stomach,
extending for $2â3 cm.
Results: Mean operating time was 120 mins. Three complications
were recorded. There were two perforations of the
gastroesophageal mucosa; the first was sutured in laparoscopy
and the second required a second operation. The third
complication was a case of dysphagia resolved by dismounting
a fundoplication that was too tight. At follow-up,
which lasted from 6 months to 5 years, the children were all
free of symptoms.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic Heller esophagomyotomy appears
to be a complex and difficult operation, but it is as safe
and effective as laparotomy in children with achalasia.
However, complications can be numerous and severe at the
beginning of a surgeonâs experience