Diffraction-limited focusing of Bose–Einstein condensates

2003/06/06 by A. S. Arnold, Aidan S. Arnold, C. MacCormick +1 · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Frequency and Time Standards #Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #cond-mat.soft

paper · pdf · doi:10.1088/0953-4075/37/2/015

arxiv created 2003/06/06 · openalex publication_date 2003/12/17 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

We report adjustable magnetic `bouncing' and focusing of a dilute ⁸⁷Rb Bose gas. Both the condensate production and manipulation are realised using a particularly straight-forward apparatus. The bouncing region is comprised of approximately concentric ellipsoidal magnetic equipotentials with a centre that can be adjusted vertically. We extend, and discuss the limitations of, simple Thomas-Fermi and Monte-Carlo theoretical models for the bouncing, which at present find close agreement with the condensate's evolution. Very strong focusing has been inferred and the observation of atomic matter-wave diffraction should be possible. Prospects look bright for applications in matter-wave atom-optics, due to the very smooth nature of the mirror.

Citations

• Observation of Bose-Einstein Condensation in a Dilute Atomic Vapor
• Periodic trajectories of cold atoms in a gravitational cavity
• Adaptive inelastic magnetic mirror for Bose-Einstein condensates

Cited by

• Experimental single-impulse magnetic focusing of launched cold atoms
• Transport of launched cold atoms with a laser guide and pulsed magnetic fields