Persistent Currents in a Bose-Einstein Condensate
Abstract
This research program explored matter wave optics and rotating Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). High sensitivity inertial sensors based on matter waves may benefit greatly from the coherence properties of condensates. We explored rotating BECs using Bragg spectroscopy and uncovered a new mechanism for measuring rotation. We realized a conical lens, or "axicon," for matter waves by tailoring the expansion of a BEC using a far-detuned, intense, focused laser beam. We devised a new scheme for generating flexible, configurable optical traps for atoms using a two-axis scanning acousto-optic modulator, and applied this to realize a BEC in a toroidal potential. Finally, we discovered a mechanism for pumping vorticity into a Bose-Einstein condensate using time-varying magnetic fields, and therefore for the realization of quantum correlated states of large angular momentum.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 02, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA519000
Entities
People
- Chandra Raman
Organizations
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation