Resonant Coupling of a Bose-Einstein Condensate to a Micromechanical Oscillator
David Hunger, Stephan Camerer, Theodor W. Hänsch +4 more
We report experiments in which the vibrations of a micromechanical oscillator are coupled to the motion of Bose-condensed atoms in a trap. The interaction relies on surface forces experienced by the atoms at about 1 microm distance from the mechanical structure. We observe resonant coupling to several well-resolved mechanical modes of the condensate. Coupling via surface forces does not require magnets, electrodes, or mirrors on the oscillator and could thus be employed to couple atoms to molecular-scale oscillators such as carbon nanotubes.
arXiv:1003.1126•Physical Review Letters•Apr 9, 2010•138 citations