Bose Einstein Condensation in microgravity
- Paper number
IAC-08.A2.1.2
- Author
Dr. Ernst Maria Rasel, Leibniz Universitaet Hannover, Germany
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Microgravity is expected to be a decisive ingredient for the next leap in tests in fundamental physics of gravity, relativity and theories beyond the standard model. A promising technique for fundamental tests in the quantum domain are matter-wave sensors based on cold atoms or atom lasers, which use atoms as unperturbed microscopic test bodies for measuring inertial forces or as frequency references. Microgravity is of high relevance for matter-wave interferometers and experiments with quantum matter (Bose-Einstein Condensates or degenerate Fermi gases) as it permits the extension the unperturbed free fall of these test particles in a low-noise environment. Microgravity will also help to establish a new scientific avenue in the research on degenerate quantum gases. Cold quantum gases and, in particular, Bose-Einstein condensates represent a new state of matter which is nowadays established in many laboratories. They offer unique insights into a broad range of fundamental physics as well as prospects for novel quantum sensors. Microgravity will substantially extend the science of quantum gases towards nowadays inaccessible regimes at lowest temperatures, to macroscopic dimensions, and to unequalled durations of unperturbed evolution of these distinguished quantum objects. With the launch of the development of a mobile BEC platform project for microgravity experiments in the drop tower and during parabolic flights within a pilot project, running since January 2004, the DLR took a major first step to establish this field of research in Germany. The group joins the scientific expertise of leading German groups working on various aspects of cold quantum gases with the unique possibilities and technological knowledge offered by the drop tower group at ZARM, University Bremen, to introduce and explore the new field of quantum gases under microgravity. The pilot projects aims for a first technological demonstration of the feasibility of such experiments at the drop tower. The prospects of such an experiment, however, cover the study of quantum gases in the regime of unperturbed evolution with extremely large correlation length and longest unperturbed time of flight. The research will be performed with regard to scientific and technological aspects, from fundamental physical questions with low energy quantum phase transitions and the establishment of quantum correlations to measurements of highest precision in atom interferometric set-ups.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)