5 research outputs found
Space-borne Bose-Einstein condensation for precision interferometry
Space offers virtually unlimited free-fall in gravity. Bose-Einstein
condensation (BEC) enables ineffable low kinetic energies corresponding to
pico- or even femtokelvins. The combination of both features makes atom
interferometers with unprecedented sensitivity for inertial forces possible and
opens a new era for quantum gas experiments. On January 23, 2017, we created
Bose-Einstein condensates in space on the sounding rocket mission MAIUS-1 and
conducted 110 experiments central to matter-wave interferometry. In particular,
we have explored laser cooling and trapping in the presence of large
accelerations as experienced during launch, and have studied the evolution,
manipulation and interferometry employing Bragg scattering of BECs during the
six-minute space flight. In this letter, we focus on the phase transition and
the collective dynamics of BECs, whose impact is magnified by the extended
free-fall time. Our experiments demonstrate a high reproducibility of the
manipulation of BECs on the atom chip reflecting the exquisite control features
and the robustness of our experiment. These properties are crucial to novel
protocols for creating quantum matter with designed collective excitations at
the lowest kinetic energy scales close to femtokelvins.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Investigation of advanced electron bunch generation and diagnostics in the BOND laboratory at DESY
Laser driven plasma wakefield accelerators have been explored as a potential compact, reproducible source of relativistic electron bunches, utilising an electric field of many GV/m. Control over injection of electrons into the wakefield is of crucial importance in producing stable, mono-energetic electron bunches. Density tailoring of the target, to control the acceleration process, can also be used to improve the quality of the bunch. By using gas jets to provide tailored targets it is possible to provide good access for plasma diagnostics while also producing sharp density gradients for density down-ramp injection. OpenFOAM hydrodynamic simulations were used to investigate the possibility of producing tailored density targets in a supersonic gas jet. Particle-in-cell simulations of the resulting density profiles modelled the effect of the tailored density on the properties of the accelerated electron bunch. Here, we present the simulation results together with preliminary experimental measurements of electron and x-ray properties from LPWA experiments using gas jet targets and a 25 TW, 25 fs Ti:Sa laser system at DESY
Space-borne Bose–Einstein condensation for precision interferometry
Owing to the low-gravity conditions in space, space-borne laboratories enable experiments with extended free-fall times. Because Bose–Einstein condensates have an extremely low expansion energy, space-borne atom interferometers based on Bose–Einstein condensation have the potential to have much greater sensitivity to inertial forces than do similar ground-based interferometers. On 23 January 2017, as part of the sounding-rocket mission MAIUS-1, we created Bose–Einstein condensates in space and conducted 110 experiments central to matter-wave interferometry, including laser cooling and trapping of atoms in the presence of the large accelerations experienced during launch. Here we report on experiments conducted during the six minutes of in-space flight in which we studied the phase transition from a thermal ensemble to a Bose–Einstein condensate and the collective dynamics of the resulting condensate. Our results provide insights into conducting cold-atom experiments in space, such as precision interferometry, and pave the way to miniaturizing cold-atom and photon-based quantum information concepts for satellite-based implementation. In addition, space-borne Bose–Einstein condensation opens up the possibility of quantum gas experiments in low-gravity conditions1,2
Space-borne Bose-Einstein condensation for precision interferometry
Owing to the low-gravity conditions in space, space-borne laboratories enable experiments with extended free-fall times. Because Bose–Einstein condensates have an extremely low expansion energy, space-borne atom interferometers based on Bose–Einstein condensation have the potential to have much greater sensitivity to inertial forces than do similar ground-based interferometers. On 23 January 2017, as part of the sounding-rocket mission MAIUS-1, we created Bose–Einstein condensates in space and conducted 110 experiments central to matter-wave interferometry, including laser cooling and trapping of atoms in the presence of the large accelerations experienced during launch. Here we report on experiments conducted during the six minutes of in-space flight in which we studied the phase transition from a thermal ensemble to a Bose–Einstein condensate and the collective dynamics of the resulting condensate. Our results provide insights into conducting cold-atom experiments in space, such as precision interferometry, and pave the way to miniaturizing cold-atom and photon-based quantum information concepts for satellite-based implementation. In addition, space-borne Bose–Einstein condensation opens up the possibility of quantum gas experiments in low-gravity conditions