Momentum correlations in a quasi-BEC

M. G. Ries, A. N. Wenz, G. Zürn +7 more

The condensation of fermion pairs lies at the heart of superfluidity. However, for strongly correlated systems with reduced dimensionality the mechanisms of pairing and condensation are still not fully understood. In our experiment we use ultracold atoms as a generic model system to study the phase transition from a normal to a condensed phase in a strongly interacting quasi-two-dimensional Fermi gas. Using a novel method, we obtain the in situ pair momentum distribution of the strongly interacting system and observe the emergence of a low-momentum condensate at low temperatures. By tuning temperature and interaction strength, we map out the phase diagram of the quasi-2D BEC-BCS crossover.

E. A. L. Henn, P. E. S. Tavares, A. R. Fritsch +3 more

José Tito Mendonça, Hugo Terças

M. G. Ries

This thesis reports on the preparation of a 2D Fermi gas in the BEC-BCS crossover and \nthe observation of the BKT transition into a quasi long-range ordered superfluid phase. \nThe pair momentum distribution of the gas is probed by means of a matter-wave \nfocusing technique which relies on time-of-flight evolution in a weak harmonic potential. \nThis distribution holds the coherence properties of the gas. \nThe quasi long-range ordered phase manifests itself as a sharp low-momentum peak. \nThe temperature where it forms is identified as the transition temperature. By tuning \nthe temperature and the interaction strength, the phase diagram of the 2D Fermi gas in \nthe BEC-BCS crossover is mapped out. \nThe phase coherence is investigated in a self-interference experiment. Furthermore, \nalgebraic decay of correlations is observed in the trap average of the first order corre- \nlation function, which is obtained from the Fourier transform of the pair momentum \ndistribution. This is in qualitative agreement with predictions of homogeneous theory \nfor the superfluid phase in a 2D gas. \nThe presented results provide a foundation for future experimental and theoretical \nstudies of strongly correlated 2D Fermi gases. They might thus help to elucidate complex \nsystems such as the electron gas in high-Tc superconductors.

Abasalt Bahrami, P. E. S. Tavares, A. R. Fritsch +4 more

P. Pieri

The condensation of fermion pairs lies at the heart of superfluidity.However, for strongly correlated systems with reduced dimensionality the mechanisms of pairing and condensation are still not fully understood.In our experiment we use ultracold atoms as a generic model system to study the phase transition from a normal to a condensed phase in a strongly interacting quasi-two-dimensional Fermi gas.Using a novel method, we obtain the in situ pair momentum distribution of the strongly interacting system and observe the emergence of a low-momentum condensate at low temperatures.By tuning temperature and interaction strength, we map out the phase diagram of the quasi-2D BEC-BCS crossover.