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Experiments with a two-species Bose -Einstein condensate utilizing widely tunable interparticle interactions

Posted on:2008-03-08Degree:Ph.DType:Thesis
University:University of Colorado at BoulderCandidate:Papp, Scott BFull Text:PDF
GTID:2440390005475721Subject:Atomic physics
Abstract/Summary:
This thesis presents experiments with a quantum-degenerate gas of bosonic atoms where interparticle interactions can be precisely controlled using a magnetic-field tunable Feshbach resonance. Using our new apparatus, we have the capability to study either single species Bose-Einstein condensates of 85Rb or 87Rb, or a mixture of both species. With such a mixture we have created and studied the first ultracold heteronuclear Feshbach molecules. Further work with two-component gases includes the creation of a dual-species BEC in which the miscibility of the two quantum fluids can be controlled. Finally, with a single species 85Rb condensate we have performed the first detailed measurements of the excitation spectrum of a BEC as a function of interaction strength. With strong interparticle interactions, we have observed that the excitation energy is smaller than that predicted by mean-field theory.
Keywords/Search Tags:Interparticle, Species
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