Detection and dynamics of ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: School of Mathematics
Abstract
When atoms are cooled down to very low temperatures their thermal motion almost completely stops. The development of methods to trap and cool atoms be means of laser light and magnetic fields has provided tools to reach the lowest known temperatures in the Universe. These are within one billionth of a degree of absolute zero. At very cold temperatures the wave functions of the atoms start overlapping and they become indistinguishable. The bosonic atoms undergo the Bose-Einstein condensation, representing a new form of matter, predicted by Bose and Einstein almost a century ago. The Bose-Einstein condensates form a coherent source of atoms analogous to optical lasers; the resulting atom lasers are as different from ordinary atomic beams as optical lasers are from light bulbs. When the Bose-Einstein condensates are placed in periodic potential arrays formed by lasers, known as optical lattices, they behave like electrons in crystal lattices. However, unlike in crystal lattices, in optical lattices there are no lattice imperfections and the lattice height and the periodicity can be easily engineered. In optical lattices the atoms can behave like electrons in superconductors and could potentially be, e.g., the building block of a next generation quantum computer. The expected research outcomes are the means to observe, manipulate and control cold atoms by light, to further the basic understanding of quantum atomic gases and to influence the experimental progress with trapped atoms. The potential applications are in precision measurements, such as in the development of improved time measurements using atom clocks in satellite navigation.
Publications
Borgh MO
(2012)
Topological interface engineering and defect crossing in ultracold atomic gases.
in Physical review letters
Monteiro TS
(2009)
Nonlinear resonances in delta-kicked Bose-Einstein condensates.
in Physical review letters
Proukakis N
(2013)
Quantum Gases - Finite Temperature and Non-Equilibrium Dynamics
Description | We have analysed quantum dynamics of atoms and the effect of this dynamics on quantum technologies of sensing. Moreover we have proposed diagnostic tools for thermometry of ultracold atoms based on optical imaging. We have analysed non-equilibrium dynamics of solitons in ultracold atomic gases when quantum fluctuations start to influence the dynamics. Ultracold atoms could be used as quantum interferometers and we have shown how strong correlations can be achieved in the experimental programme of developing quantum-enhanced sensing at Heidelberg. |
Exploitation Route | Imaging techniques for the diagnostics of quantum states in many-atom systems, development of quantum technologies in sensing. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Energy |
URL | http://www.soton.ac.uk/~janne |
Description | They have influenced in the analysis and the development of experiments in these areas, e.g., at Heidelberg and Rice. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Impact Types | Cultural |
Description | Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship |
Amount | £35,700 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RFG/2010/0190 |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2010 |
End | 09/2011 |
Description | Foot |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Department of Physics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with the experimental group of Prof Chris Foot on the development of imaging methods in atomic systems. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration work |
Impact | Publication: Physical Review Letters 103, 170404 (2009) |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Heidelbeg |
Organisation | Heidelberg University |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Theoretical analysis of experimental findings |
Collaborator Contribution | Valuable experimental data and research time of team members |
Impact | Two publications PHYSICAL REVIEW A 84, 011609(R) (2011) New Journal of Physics 15 (2013) 063035 |
Start Year | 2009 |