S. R. Muniz

Achievement of quantum degeneracy in a Na‐QUIC trap in Brazil: an in situ observation

Using a system composed of a Quadrupole and Ioffe Configuration (QUIC) trap loaded from a slowed atomic beam, we have performed experiments to observe the Bose-Einstein Condensation of Na atoms. In order to obtain the atomic distribution in the trap, we use an in situ out of resonance absorption image through a probe beam, to determine temperature and density. The phase space density (D) is calculated using the density profile and the temperature. We have followed D as a function of the final evaporation frequency. The results show that at 1.65 MHz we crossed the value for D expected to correspond to the critical point to start the Bose-Condensation of the sample. Due to the low number of atoms remaining in the trap at the critical point, the interaction produces minor effects and therefore an ideal gas model explains well the observations. We analyze the obtained low number in terms of efficiency of evaporation. The utility of an in situ detection is illustrated by measuring the harmonic gas pressure of the trapped gas in the route to condensation.

Analysis of off-axis solenoid fields using the magnetic scalar potential: An application to a Zeeman-slower for cold atoms

In a region free of currents, magnetostatics can be described by the Laplace equation of a scalar magnetic potential, and one can apply the same methods commonly used in electrostatics. Here, we show how to calculate the general vector field inside a real (finite) solenoid, using only the magnitude of the field along the symmetry axis. Our method does not require integration or knowledge of the current distribution and is presented through practical examples, including a nonuniform finite solenoid used to produce cold atomic beams via laser cooling. These examples allow educators to discuss the nontrivial calculation of fields off-axis using concepts familiar to most students, while offering the opportunity to introduce themes of current modern research.

Self-similar Expansion of the Density Profile in a Turbulent Bose-Einstein Condensate

In a recent study we demonstrated the emergence of turbulence in a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate of 87Rb atoms. An intriguing observation in such a system is the behavior of the turbulent cloud during free expansion. The aspect ratio of the cloud size does not change in the way one would expect for an ordinary non-rotating (vortex-free) condensate. Here we show that the anomalous expansion can be understood, at least qualitatively, in terms of the presence of vorticity distributed throughout the cloud, effectively counteracting the usual reversal of the aspect ratio seen in free time-of-flight expansion of non-rotating condensates.

Creating a self-induced dark spontaneous-force optical trap for neutral atoms

Abstract This communication describes the observation of a new type of dark spontaneous-force optical trap (dark SPOT) obtained without the use of a mask blocking the central part of the repumper laser beam. We observe that loading a magneto-optical trap from a continuous and intense flux of slowed atoms and by appropriately tuning the frequency of the repumper laser is possible to achieve basically the same effect of the dark SPOT, using a simpler apparatus. This work characterizes the new system through measurements of absorption and fluorescence imaging of the atomic cloud and presents a very simple model to explain the main features of our observations. We believe that this new approach may simplify the current experiments to produce quantum degenerated gases.

Measuring the heat capacity in a Bose-Einstein condensation using global variables

Phase transitions are well understood and generally followed by the behavior of the associated thermodynamic quantities, such as in the case of the

Isothermal compressibility determination across Bose-Einstein condensation

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Measurements of capture velocity in a magneto-optical trap for a broad range of light intensities

point superfluid transition of liquid helium, which is observed in its heat capacity. In the case of a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), the heat capacity cannot be directly measured. In this work, we present a technique able to determine the global heat capacity from the density distribution of a weakly interacting gas trapped in an inhomogeneous potential. This approach represents an alternative to models based on local density approximation. By defining a pair of global conjugate variables, we determine the total internal energy and its temperature derivative, the heat capacity. We then apply the technique to a trapped

Magnetic field tomography

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Measurement of Na 5S1/2 hyperfine splitting by ionization using a sample of cold atoms

Rb BEC a

Equation of state for a trapped quantum gas: remnant of zero-point energy effects

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