Bose-Einstein Condensation of Ytterbium Atoms and Its Prospects

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.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.

Journal of the Physical Society of JapanJan 13, 200923 citations

BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION OF YTTERBIUM ATOMS

Yoshio Takahashi, Yosuke Takasu, K. MAKI +8 more

Laser SpectroscopyFeb 1, 20040 citations

Recent Advances in Bose-Einstein Condensation

Wolfgang Ketterle

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)Aug 24, 20050 citations

Bose-Einstein condensation of an ytterbium isotope

Takeshi Fukuhara, Seiji Sugawa, Yoshiro Takahashi

We report the observation of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a bosonic isotope of ytterbium $(^{170}\mathrm{Yb})$ . More than ${10}^{6}$ atoms are trapped in a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled by evaporation. Condensates of approximately ${10}^{4}$ atoms have been obtained. From an expansion of the condensate, we have extracted the scattering length ${a}_{170}=3.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$.We report the observation of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a bosonic isotope of ytterbium $(^{170}\mathrm{Yb})$. More than ${10}^{6}$ atoms are trapped in a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled by evaporation. Condensates of approximately ${10}^{4}$ atoms have been obtained. From an expansion of the condensate, we have extracted the scattering length ${a}_{170}=3.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$.

arXiv:0709.3068Physical Review ANov 15, 2007125 citations

We report the observation of a Bose-Einstein condensate in a bosonic isotope of ytterbium

(^{170}\mathrm{Yb})

. More than

{10}^{6}

atoms are trapped in a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled by evaporation. Condensates of approximately

{10}^{4}

atoms have been obtained. From an expansion of the condensate, we have extracted the scattering length ${a}_{170}=3.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$.