Realization and research of optically-trapped quantum degenerate gases

Bereket Berhane

G. Edward Marti, Ryan Olf, Sean Lourette +1 more

John E. Thomas

Yosuke Takasu, Yoshiro Takahashi

We describe in detail our recent experiments on quantum degenerate gases of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. Up to now Bose–Einstein condensates of 174 Yb and 170 Yb, and a Fermi degenerate gas of 173 Yb have been realized by efficient evaporative cooling in a crossed far-off resonant trap. Our studies showed that the efficient escape from the trap and rapid thermalization are important for efficient evaporative cooling. We also describe some recent experiments using Yb Bose–Einstein condensates such as the achievement of a scalar atom laser, the observation of an optical coherent transient, and successful loading into an optical lattice. Finally, the future prospects using Yb quantum degenerate gases are discussed in detail.

Will Gunton, Mariusz Semczuk, Kirk W. Madison

We report on a simple oven-loaded magneto-optic trap (MOT) apparatus for the creation of both molecular Bose-Einstein condensates (mBECs) and degenerate Fermi gases (DFGs) of lithium. The apparatus does not require a Zeeman slower or a two-dimensional MOT, nor does it require any separation or differential pumping between the effusive atom source and the science chamber. The result is an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and compact vacuum system ideal for miniaturization. We discuss our work in the context of other realizations of quantum degenerate gases by evaporation in optical dipole traps and illustrate that our apparatus meets the key requirements of atom number and trap lifetime. With this system, we also demonstrate the production of a mBEC, and we use it to observe the pairing gap of a strongly interacting two-component DFG in the BEC-BCS crossover regime.

H. Engler, Inka B. Manek-Hönninger, U. Moslener +7 more