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arXiv:2604.18072 · Physical Review A

Preparation of a quasi-two-dimensional Bose mixture of ultracold Na 23 and Rb 87 atoms

Anonymous, Hao-Ran Zhang, Xiaorong Yu, Ya-Qun Qi, Yi-Cheng Guo, Bo Zhao, Jun Rui, Jian-Wei Pan

Published Jul 7, 2026• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quantum gases confined in reduced dimensions have enabled the observation of many exotic quantum phenomena. While existing experiments primarily focus on homonuclear systems, we report here on the efficient preparation of a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) heteronuclear quantum degenerate mixture of ultracold $^{23}$Na and $^{87}$Rb. We describe the design of the vacuum system and detail the experimental procedures for preparing the 2D quantum mixture. The designed apparatus has several unique features, including compact and modular 2D-MOT sources, a science chamber that accommodates various lattice geometries, a precision in-vacuum electrode assembly, and high-resolution imaging for both atomic species. After loading the dual-species condensate into a single layer of a vertical optical lattice, we prepare a 2D gas mixture and observe quantum immiscibility in the in-situ equilibrium density profiles. The observed density profiles agree well with mean-field theories. The apparatus provides a versatile platform for investigating several interesting problems, including quantum impurities, quantum droplets, or polar molecules in low dimensions.

DOI
10.1103/tr78-m3jb

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Abstract We present a compact and versatile experimental system for producing Bose–Bose superfluid mixtures composed of sodium and potassium atoms. The compact design combines the necessary ultra-high vacuum enviroment for ultracold atom experiments with efficient atomic fluxes by using two-dimensional magneto-optical traps as independent source of atoms. We demonstrate the performance of this new machine by producing a Bose–Einstein condensate of 23 Na with ∼ atoms. The tunability of Na–K bosonic mixtures is particularly interesting for studies regarding the nucleation of vortices and quantum turbulence. In this direction, the large optical access of the science chamber along the vertical direction provides the conditions to implement high resolution optical setups for imaging and rotating the condensate with a stirring beam. We show the nucleation of a vortex lattice with up to 14 vortices in the 23 Na BEC, attesting the efficiency of the experimental apparatus in studying the dynamics of vortices.
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Ultracold atomic gases can be prepared in laboratory environments with unrivaled control and purity. In one and a half decades the field has evolved from the first Bose condensates in dilute alkali gases to multiple species mixtures and degenerate Fermi systems. Combining quantum degenerate fermions and optical lattices enables the simulation of relevant condensed matter systems. By observing the final state of an atomic sample in a tailored optical potential the system can be used as an analog quantum computer to evaluate Hamiltonians that are computationally impossible to tackle on classical computers. A versatile optical dipole trap has been constructed and characterized. The trap can be converted to an optical lattice, allowing for the investigation of the phase diagram of the two-component, one-dimensional, imbalanced Fermi gas.
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We experimentally realize two-dimensional (2D) single-layer ultracold gases of 87Rb by dynamically tuning the periodicity of a standing wave, known as accordion lattice. In order to load 87Rb Bose–Einstein condensate into single dark fringe node of the blue detuning optical lattice, we reduce the lattice periodicity from 26.7 μm to 3.5 μm with the help of an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) to compress the three-dimensional BEC adiabatically into a flat and uniform quasi-2D single-layer. We describe the experimental procedure of the atoms loading into the accordion lattice in detail and present the characteristics of the quasi-2D ultracold gases. This setup provides an important platform for studying in- and out-of equilibrium physics, phase transition and 2D topological matter.