October 1, 2008
Control of Quantum Systems SeminarSpeaker: Prof. Georg Raitel, Department of Physics, University of Michigan Title: Bose-Einstein condensates in a one-dimensional optical lattice Abstract: Our recent work on the dynamics on BECs in combinations of one-dimensional optical lattices and magnetic traps will be described. I will first review some experimental methods used. In experiments wil shallow lattices (depth about one recoil energy), we have implemented an atom cavity. On one side, atoms trapped in the cavity are confined by the magnetic potential, while on the other, the atoms are Bragg-reflected by the optical lattice. We have demonstrated the cavity by recording the momentum-space Bloch oscillation of the BEC as a function of time. The atom cavity configuration presents the possibility of realizing a Mach-Zehnder-type atom interferometer. We have performed initial atom interference experiments that demonstrate the viability of the scheme. In the second experiment, we have studied the transition of a superfluid into an insulating state using a deep, one-dimensional optical lattice (depth up to 80 recoil energies). The results are consistent with a superfluid to Mott insulator transition of the three-dimensional BEC in a one-dimensional lattice.
For more information, please contact:
Svetlana Malinovskaya
Associate Professor
Burchard
Room 509
Phone: 201.216.8094
Fax: 201.216.5638
smalinov@stevens.edu Georg_Raitel |
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