Ultracold Atom Optics Science and Technology
Abstract
In past experiments we had focused on the formation of a molecular condensate close to a Feshbach Resonance in a 85 Rb atomic condensate by performing "Ramsey type" experiments. By applying two rapid magnetic field pulses toward the Feshbach resonance which were separated by a variable "evolution time" we were able to observe interference fringes between the atomic and molecular states. The damping rate of the interference fringes has since been measured; it confirms the coherent nature of the molecular state and also provides information about mean field interactions between and within the molecular and atomic condensates. More efficient production of molecules is predicted by adiabatically increasing (rather than pulsing) the magnetic field through the Feshbach resonance from below. In our most recent experiments we have observed a significant loss of atoms from both a thermal cloud and atomic condensate after ramping the field sufficiently slowly through this resonance. This loss is partially reversed by decreasing the field back down through the resonance again to a region where the molecular state is no longer bound. These two observations provide strong evidence that molecules are being formed by this method. Future research will include direct absorption imaging of the molecules and investigation of molecular decay mechanisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA571920
Entities
People
- Dana Anderson
- Sarah Thompson
Organizations
- University of Colorado Boulder