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Science

Continuous Progress on Atom Lasers

Tilman Pfau

Published Jun 21, 2002• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Since the first experiments on Bose-Einstein condensates, researchers have tried to use them to make atom lasers. But although pulsed lasers have been demonstrated, continuous atom laser operation has been elusive. In his Perspective, [Pfau][1] highlights the report by [ Chikkatur et al .][2], who have overcome the problem with a conceptually simple but technically challenging apparatus. The challenge now is to develop high power atom lasers. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5576/2155 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/296/5576/2193

DOI
10.1126/science.1073984

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Since the first experiments on Bose-Einstein condensates, researchers have tried to use them to make atom lasers. But although pulsed lasers have been demonstrated, continuous atom laser operation has been elusive. In his Perspective, Pfau highlights the report by Chikkatur et al ., who have overcome the problem with a conceptually simple but technically challenging apparatus. The challenge now is to develop high power atom lasers.
PHYSICS[ Alexander Hellemans ][1] In a conventional a process called stimulated emission acts to rapidly build up a powerful, coherent beam, but some have questioned whether this actually happens in the laser, which was demonstrated for the first time last year. Now the atom laser team makes good on its claim. On page [1005][2], the researchers report evidence that the light in the atom laser--atoms held in a quantum state known as a Bose-Einstein condensate--forms through a process analogous to stimulated emission, as atoms already in the condensate help coax additional atoms into quantum lockstep. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org#name [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/279/5353/1005
In recent years, much progress has been made in producing and manipulating ultracold atoms in Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). But, as Williams and Julienne explain in this Perspective, molecules are poor candidates for the laser cooling techniques commonly used to produce BECs. Many groups are trying to devise techniques for making ultracold molecules. A technique reported by Wynar et al. (page 1016) has allowed the first observation of molecule formation in a BEC, and may ultimately be able to produce a pure molecular condensate.
Ever since the discovery of Bose-Einstein condensation in an atomic Bose gas in 1995, physicists have been searching for its analog, the fermion superfluid in atomic Fermi gases. Fermion superfluids are expected to exhibit quantum phenomena on the macroscopic scale, just as Bose-Einstein condensates do. Making use of a process called Feshbach resonance, which allows the interaction between atoms to be increased strongly, several groups have recently reported evidence on fermion superfluids. In his Perspective, [Ho][1] highlights the report by [ Chin et al .][2], who have directly observed a pairing gap, a key property of a fermion superfluid. Their interpretation is strongly supported by the theoretical calculation of [ Kinnunen et al .][3] Ho argues that the evidence accumulated so far provides an overwhelming case for the realization of fermion superfluids. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/305/5687/1114 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/305/5687/1128 [3]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/305/5687/1131
A Bose-Einstein condensate in a dilute gas is a collective state of atoms that acts like a quantum mechanical wave with a phase. In his Perspective, [Javanainen][1] highlights the demonstration by [ Saba et al .][2] that the phase difference between two condensates can be measured without destroying the condensates. The experiments open up new ways to manipulate condensates, which are macroscopic objects, as if they were quantum mechanical entities. Measurement devices based on matter-wave interferometry are a potential application. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/307/5717/1883 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/307/5717/1945