From multimode to monomode guided atom lasers: an entropic analysis

We have experimentally demonstrated a high level of control of the mode populations of guided atom lasers (GALs) by showing that the entropy per particle of an optically GAL, and the one of the trapped Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) from which it has been produced are the same. The BEC is prepared in a crossed beam optical dipole trap. We have achieved isentropic outcoupling for both magnetic and optical schemes. We can prepare GAL in a nearly pure monomode regime (85 % in the ground state). Furthermore, optical outcoupling enables the production of spinor guided atom lasers and opens the possibility to tailor their polarization

A quasi-monomode guided atom-laser from an all-optical Bose-Einstein condensate

We report the achievement of an optically guided and quasi-monomode atom laser, in all spin projection states ($m_F =$ -1, 0 and $+1$) of F=1 in Rubidium 87. The atom laser source is a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a crossed dipole trap, purified to any one spin projection state by a spin-distillation process applied during the evaporation to BEC. The atom laser is outcoupled by an inhomogenous magnetic field, applied along the waveguide axis. The mean excitation number in the transverse modes is $= 0.65 \pm 0.05$ for $m_F = 0$ and $= 0.8 \pm 0.3$ for the low field seeker $m_F = -1$

Optimal transport of ultracold atoms in the non-adiabatic regime

We report the transport of ultracold atoms with optical tweezers in the non-adiabatic regime, i.e. on a time scale on the order of the oscillation period. We have found a set of discrete transport durations for which the transport is not accompanied by any excitation of the centre of mass of the cloud. We show that the residual amplitude of oscillation of the dipole mode is given by the Fourier transform of the velocity profile imposed to the trap for the transport. This formalism leads to a simple interpretation of our data and simple methods for optimizing trapped particles displacement in the non-adiabatic regime

Bararus

Cette petite localité antique mentionnée par la Table de Peutinger (VI, 3), à 9 mille romains de Thysdrus sur un itinéraire entre cette dernière et Usilla, correspond aux ruines actuelles connues sous le nom d’Henchir Rougga, à 13 km au sud-est d’El Jem. Le nom de Bararus apparaît dans d’autres sources antiques : un vétéran de cette cité est mentionné sur une liste de soldats de Nicopolis (Égypte) recrutés en Afrique (A.E., 1955, 238) ; un curateur republicae exerçait ses fonctions à la fois ..

Excitation-assisted inelastic processes in trapped Bose-Einstein condensates

We find that inelastic collisional processes in Bose-Einstein condensates induce local variations of the mean-field interparticle interaction and are accompanied by the creation/annihilation of elementary excitation. The physical picture is demonstrated for the case of three body recombination in a trapped condensate. For a high trap barrier the production of high energy trapped single particle excitations results in a strong increase of the loss rate of atoms from the condensate.Comment: 4 pages, no figure

Zeeman slowers made simple with permanent magnets in a Halbach configuration

We describe a simple Zeeman slower design using permanent magnets. Contrary to common wire-wound setups no electric power and water cooling are required. In addition, the whole system can be assembled and disassembled at will. The magnetic field is however transverse to the atomic motion and an extra repumper laser is necessary. A Halbach configuration of the magnets produces a high quality magnetic field and no further adjustment is needed. After optimization of the laser parameters, the apparatus produces an intense beam of slow and cold 87Rb atoms. With a typical flux of 1 - 5 \times 10^10 atoms/s at 30 ms^-1, our apparatus efficiently loads a large magneto-optical trap with more than 10^10 atoms in one second, which is an ideal starting point for degenerate quantum gases experiments.Comment: 8+6 pages (article + appendices: calculation details, probe and oven description, pictures), 18 figures, supplementary material (movie, Mathematica programs and technical drawings

Collective oscillations of a classical gas confined in harmonic traps

Starting from the Boltzmann equation we calculate the frequency and the damping of the monopole and quadrupole oscillations of a classical gas confined in an harmonic potential. The collisional term is treated in the relaxation time approximation and a gaussian ansatz is used for its evaluation. Our approach provides an explicit description of the transition between the hydrodynamic and collisionless regimes in both spherical and deformed traps. The predictions are compared with the results of a numerical simulation.Comment: 6 pages, revtex, 2 figures include

Optimized production of a cesium Bose-Einstein condensate

We report on the optimized production of a Bose-Einstein condensate of cesium atoms using an optical trapping approach. Based on an improved trap loading and evaporation scheme we obtain more than $10^5$ atoms in the condensed phase. To test the tunability of the interaction in the condensate we study the expansion of the condensate as a function of scattering length. We further excite strong oscillations of the trapped condensate by rapidly varying the interaction strength.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Appl. Phys.

Evidence of joint commitment in great apes’ natural joint actions

Human joint action seems special, as it is grounded in joint commitment—a sense of mutual obligation participants feel towards each other. Comparative research with humans and non-human great apes has typically investigated joint commitment by experimentally interrupting joint actions to study subjects’ resumption strategies. However, such experimental interruptions are human-induced, and thus the question remains of how great apes naturally handle interruptions. Here, we focus on naturally occurring interruptions of joint actions, grooming and play, in bonobos and chimpanzees. Similar to humans, both species frequently resumed interrupted joint actions (and the previous behaviours, like grooming the same body part region or playing the same play type) with their previous partners and at the previous location. Yet, the probability of resumption attempts was unaffected by social bonds or rank. Our data suggest that great apes experience something akin to joint commitment, for which we discuss possible evolutionary origins

Bose-Einstein condensation in a stiff TOP trap with adjustable geometry

We report on the realisation of a stiff magnetic trap with independently adjustable trap frequencies, $\omega_z$ and $\omega_r$, in the axial and radial directions respectively. This has been achieved by applying an axial modulation to a Time-averaged Orbiting Potential (TOP) trap. The frequency ratio of the trap, $\omega_z / \omega_r$, can be decreased continuously from the original TOP trap value of 2.83 down to 1.6. We have transferred a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) into this trap and obtained very good agreement between its observed anisotropic expansion and the hydrodynamic predictions. Our method can be extended to obtain a spherical trapping potential, which has a geometry of particular theoretical interest.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure