6 research outputs found
A high-flux BEC source for mobile atom interferometers
Quantum sensors based on coherent matter-waves are precise measurement
devices whose ultimate accuracy is achieved with Bose-Einstein condensates
(BEC) in extended free fall. This is ideally realized in microgravity
environments such as drop towers, ballistic rockets and space platforms.
However, the transition from lab-based BEC machines to robust and mobile
sources with comparable performance is a challenging endeavor. Here we report
on the realization of a miniaturized setup, generating a flux of quantum degenerate Rb atoms every 1.6s. Ensembles of atoms can be produced at a 1Hz rate. This is achieved by loading a
cold atomic beam directly into a multi-layer atom chip that is designed for
efficient transfer from laser-cooled to magnetically trapped clouds. The
attained flux of degenerate atoms is on par with current lab-based BEC
experiments while offering significantly higher repetition rates. Additionally,
the flux is approaching those of current interferometers employing Raman-type
velocity selection of laser-cooled atoms. The compact and robust design allows
for mobile operation in a variety of demanding environments and paves the way
for transportable high-precision quantum sensors.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure
A high-flux BEC source for mobile atom interferometers (vol 17, 065001, 2015)
Erratum to: A high-flux BEC source for mobile atom interferometers in: New Journal of Physics 17 (2015) 06500
Erratum: A high-flux BEC source for mobile atom interferometers (2015 New J. Phys. 17 065001)
Peer Reviewe
Collective-Mode Enhanced Matter-Wave Optics
International audienceIn contrast to light, matter-wave optics of quantum gases deals with interactions even in free space and for ensembles comprising millions of atoms. We exploit these interactions in a quantum degenerate gas as an adjustable lens for coherent atom optics. By combining an interaction-driven quadrupole-mode excitation of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) with a magnetic lens, we form a time-domain matter-wave lens system. The focus is tuned by the strength of the lensing potential and the oscillatory phase of the quadrupole mode. By placing the focus at infinity, we lower the total internal kinetic energy of a BEC comprising 101(37)âthousand atoms in three dimensions to 3/2 kBâ
38+6â7âpK. Our method paves the way for free-fall experiments lasting ten or more seconds as envisioned for tests of fundamental physics and high-precision BEC interferometry, as well as opens up a new kinetic energy regime