Bose-Einstein condensation of 7Li has been studied in a magnetically trapped gas. Because of the effectively attractive interactions between 7Li atoms, many-body quantum theory predicts that the occupation number of the condensate is limited to about 1400 atoms. We observe the condensate number to be limited to a maximum value between 650 and 1300 atoms. The measurements were made using a versatile phase-contrast imaging technique. We discuss our measurements, the current theoretical understanding of BEC in a gas with attractive interactions, and future experiments we hope to perform.Bose-Einstein condensation of 7Li has been studied in a magnetically trapped gas. Because of the effectively attractive interactions between 7Li atoms, many-body quantum theory predicts that the occupation number of the condensate is limited to about 1400 atoms. We observe the condensate number to be limited to a maximum value between 650 and 1300 atoms. The measurements were made using a versatile phase-contrast imaging technique. We discuss our measurements, the current theoretical understanding of BEC in a gas with attractive interactions, and future experiments we hope to perform.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEMay 1, 199714 citations

Strong correlation effect in the second harmonic generation of a Bose-Einstein condensate

Alfred M. Levine, Anatoly B. Kuklov

The effect of Bose-Einstein condensation, achieved recently for alkaline gases in magnetic traps, should lead to a strong enhancement of non-linear harmonic generation. A nearly resonant light imposed on the gas of two-level atoms excites the intra-atomic transitions and causes generation of various harmonics. Normally, in the thermal state of the gas, a contribution of the inter-atomic interaction to the non-linear harmonic generation is negligible. However, if a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is present, the inter-particle interaction cannot be ignored. Considering second harmonic generation, we show that, in the presence of the BEC, the intensity of the second harmonic is proportional to (aN n)/sup 2/, where N and n are the total number and the effective density of the condensed atoms, respectively, and a stands for the scattering length describing the process of scattering of two excited atoms by each other so that, after the collision, one excited atom enters the condensate. We consider the interaction between light, represented by the electric field E, and the atomic Bose field /spl Psi/ as well as the two body interaction treated within the scattering length approximation.The effect of Bose-Einstein condensation, achieved recently for alkaline gases in magnetic traps, should lead to a strong enhancement of non-linear harmonic generation. A nearly resonant light imposed on the gas of two-level atoms excites the intra-atomic transitions and causes generation of various harmonics. Normally, in the thermal state of the gas, a contribution of the inter-atomic interaction to the non-linear harmonic generation is negligible. However, if a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is present, the inter-particle interaction cannot be ignored. Considering second harmonic generation, we show that, in the presence of the BEC, the intensity of the second harmonic is proportional to (aN n)/sup 2/, where N and n are the total number and the effective density of the condensed atoms, respectively, and a stands for the scattering length describing the process of scattering of two excited atoms by each other so that, after the collision, one excited atom enters the condensate. We consider the interaction between light, represented by the electric field E, and the atomic Bose field /spl Psi/ as well as the two body interaction treated within the scattering length approximation.

Nonlinear OpticsNov 27, 20020 citations

Theory of Bose-Einstein Condensation in Atomic Gases

Keith R. Burnett

APSMay 1, 19960 citations

Effect of Interactions on the Critical Temperature of a Dilute Bose gas

M. Bijlsma, Henk T. C. Stoof

Due to the observation of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute atomic $^{87}$ Rb and $^{23}$ Na vapors last year, there is currently a great interest in the properties of a degenerate Bose gas. One aspect that is not yet understood is the effect of the interatomic interactions on the critical temperature of the phase transition. We present here a renormalization group study of the weakly-interacting Bose gas and predict the critical temperature at which Bose-Einstein condensation occurs as a function of the (positive) scattering length $a$ of the interatomic potential.Due to the observation of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute atomic $^{87}$Rb and $^{23}$Na vapors last year, there is currently a great interest in the properties of a degenerate Bose gas. One aspect that is not yet understood is the effect of the interatomic interactions on the critical temperature of the phase transition. We present here a renormalization group study of the weakly-interacting Bose gas and predict the critical temperature at which Bose-Einstein condensation occurs as a function of the (positive) scattering length $a$ of the interatomic potential.

arXiv:cond-mat/9605120May 20, 19960 citations

Microscopic theory of Bose-Einstein condensation in an interacting gas

Vitaly V. Kocharovsky, Vl. V. Kocharovsky

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyOct 18, 20140 citations

Due to the observation of Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute atomic

^{87}

Rb and

^{23}

Na vapors last year, there is currently a great interest in the properties of a degenerate Bose gas. One aspect that is not yet understood is the effect of the interatomic interactions on the critical temperature of the phase transition. We present here a renormalization group study of the weakly-interacting Bose gas and predict the critical temperature at which Bose-Einstein condensation occurs as a function of the (positive) scattering length

a

of the interatomic potential.