We report on the first measurement of a temperature dependence of the Casimir-Polder force. This measurement was obtained by positioning a nearly pure 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensate a few microns from a dielectric substrate and exciting its dipole oscillation. Changes in the collective oscillation frequency of the magnetically trapped atoms result from spatial variations in the surface-atom force. In our experiment, the dielectric substrate is heated up to 605 K, while the surrounding environment is kept near room temperature (310 K). The effect of the Casimir-Polder force is measured to be nearly 3 times larger for a 605 K substrate than for a room-temperature substrate, showing a clear temperature dependence in agreement with theory.We report on the first measurement of a temperature dependence of the Casimir-Polder force. This measurement was obtained by positioning a nearly pure 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensate a few microns from a dielectric substrate and exciting its dipole oscillation. Changes in the collective oscillation frequency of the magnetically trapped atoms result from spatial variations in the surface-atom force. In our experiment, the dielectric substrate is heated up to 605 K, while the surrounding environment is kept near room temperature (310 K). The effect of the Casimir-Polder force is measured to be nearly 3 times larger for a 605 K substrate than for a room-temperature substrate, showing a clear temperature dependence in agreement with theory.

arXiv:physics/0608074Physical Review LettersFeb 8, 2007452 citations

Measurement of the Casimir-Polder force through center-of-mass oscillations of a Bose-Einstein condensate

D. M. Harber, John Obrecht, J. M. McGuirk +1 more

We have performed a measurement of the Casimir-Polder force using a magnetically trapped $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ Bose-Einstein condensate. By detecting perturbations of the frequency of center-of-mass oscillations of the condensate perpendicular to the surface, we are able to detect this force at a distance $\ensuremath{\sim}5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$, significantly farther than has been previously achieved, and at a precision approaching that needed to detect the modification due to thermal radiation. Additionally, this technique provides a limit for the presence of non-Newtonian gravity forces in the $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ range.We have performed a measurement of the Casimir-Polder force using a magnetically trapped $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ Bose-Einstein condensate. By detecting perturbations of the frequency of center-of-mass oscillations of the condensate perpendicular to the surface, we are able to detect this force at a distance $\ensuremath{\sim}5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$, significantly farther than has been previously achieved, and at a precision approaching that needed to detect the modification due to thermal radiation. Additionally, this technique provides a limit for the presence of non-Newtonian gravity forces in the $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ range.

arXiv:cond-mat/0506208Physical Review ASep 13, 2005269 citations

Measurements of the Casimir―Polder Force

Michael Bordag B, G. L. Klimchitskaya, U. Mohideen +1 more

Abstract Modern laboratory techniques make possible the investigation of the role of the Casimir–Polder force in experiments on Bose–Einstein condensation and quantum reflection. Thus, it has been demonstrated that the collective oscillations of a Bose–Einstein condensate of ultracold atoms provide a sensitive probe of Casimir–Polder forces. Later, the first measurement of the temperature dependence of the Casimir–Polder force was performed in this way. The Casimir–Polder interaction plays an important role in the scattering of atoms on various surfaces. Of special interest are situations where the wave nature of an atom dominates in comparison with its classical behavior as a particle (this is referred to as quantum reflection). This chapter considers both of the latter two types of experiments in connection with the properties of the Casimir–Polder force.Abstract Modern laboratory techniques make possible the investigation of the role of the Casimir–Polder force in experiments on Bose–Einstein condensation and quantum reflection. Thus, it has been demonstrated that the collective oscillations of a Bose–Einstein condensate of ultracold atoms provide a sensitive probe of Casimir–Polder forces. Later, the first measurement of the temperature dependence of the Casimir–Polder force was performed in this way. The Casimir–Polder interaction plays an important role in the scattering of atoms on various surfaces. Of special interest are situations where the wave nature of an atom dominates in comparison with its classical behavior as a particle (this is referred to as quantum reflection). This chapter considers both of the latter two types of experiments in connection with the properties of the Casimir–Polder force.

May 28, 20090 citations

Observation of Magnetic Dipole-Dipole Interaction in a Bose-Einstein Condensate

Juergen Stuhler, Axel Griesmaier, Tobias Benedikt Koch +2 more

Conference on Lasers and Electro-OpticsMay 22, 20050 citations

We have performed a measurement of the Casimir-Polder force using a magnetically trapped

^{87}\mathrm{Rb}

Bose-Einstein condensate. By detecting perturbations of the frequency of center-of-mass oscillations of the condensate perpendicular to the surface, we are able to detect this force at a distance $\ensuremath{\sim}5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$, significantly farther than has been previously achieved, and at a precision approaching that needed to detect the modification due to thermal radiation. Additionally, this technique provides a limit for the presence of non-Newtonian gravity forces in the $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ range.