Understanding the dynamics of short-range correlations is a central challenge in strongly interacting Fermi gases. In ultracold gases, these correlations are quantified by the contact parameter, yet measurements to date have been limited to equilibrium systems or relatively slow, global dynamics. Here, we introduce a rapid spectroscopic technique based on projection of the interacting state onto an alternate scattering channel with a low-lying dimer state. We demonstrate contact measurements on the microsecond timescale-faster than the inverse Fermi energy. Using ^{40}K near a broad s-wave Feshbach resonance, we show that the strength of the dimer-projection feature scales proportionally with the contact parameter extracted from the high-frequency tail of radio-frequency spectroscopy, in agreement with coupled-channels calculations. Analysis of the spectra further reveals that the dimer feature provides the dominant contribution to the clock shift of the unitary Fermi gas, allowing the first experimental bound on this quantity. The observed deviations from universal predictions highlight the importance of multichannel effects. Our results open new avenues for studying contact correlators, hydrodynamic attractors, and quantum critical behavior.Understanding the dynamics of short-range correlations is a central challenge in strongly interacting Fermi gases. In ultracold gases, these correlations are quantified by the contact parameter, yet measurements to date have been limited to equilibrium systems or relatively slow, global dynamics. Here, we introduce a rapid spectroscopic technique based on projection of the interacting state onto an alternate scattering channel with a low-lying dimer state. We demonstrate contact measurements on the microsecond timescale-faster than the inverse Fermi energy. Using ^{40}K near a broad s-wave Feshbach resonance, we show that the strength of the dimer-projection feature scales proportionally with the contact parameter extracted from the high-frequency tail of radio-frequency spectroscopy, in agreement with coupled-channels calculations. Analysis of the spectra further reveals that the dimer feature provides the dominant contribution to the clock shift of the unitary Fermi gas, allowing the first experimental bound on this quantity. The observed deviations from universal predictions highlight the importance of multichannel effects. Our results open new avenues for studying contact correlators, hydrodynamic attractors, and quantum critical behavior.

arXiv:2506.13707Physical Review LettersJan 28, 20262 citations

Radio-frequency spectroscopy and the pairing gap in trapped Fermi gases

Yan He, Qijin Chen, Kathryn Levin

We present a theoretical interpretation of radio frequency (RF) pairing gap experiments in trapped atomic Fermi gases, over the entire range of the BCS--Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) crossover, for temperatures above and below ${T}_{c}$ . Our calculated RF excitation spectra, as well as the density profiles on which they are based, are in semiquantitative agreement with experiment. We provide a detailed analysis of the physical origin of the two different peak features seen in RF spectra, one associated with nearly free atoms at the edge of the trap, and the other with (quasi-)bound fermion pairs.We present a theoretical interpretation of radio frequency (RF) pairing gap experiments in trapped atomic Fermi gases, over the entire range of the BCS--Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) crossover, for temperatures above and below ${T}_{c}$. Our calculated RF excitation spectra, as well as the density profiles on which they are based, are in semiquantitative agreement with experiment. We provide a detailed analysis of the physical origin of the two different peak features seen in RF spectra, one associated with nearly free atoms at the edge of the trap, and the other with (quasi-)bound fermion pairs.

arXiv:cond-mat/0504394Physical Review AJul 15, 200559 citations

{T}_{c}

. Our calculated RF excitation spectra, as well as the density profiles on which they are based, are in semiquantitative agreement with experiment. We provide a detailed analysis of the physical origin of the two different peak features seen in RF spectra, one associated with nearly free atoms at the edge of the trap, and the other with (quasi-)bound fermion pairs.