Current BEC Research
We are investigating Bose-Einstein condensation in the rubidium
85 isotope. Most BEC research has been carried out in 87Rb,
but 85Rb has some important differences. By
changing the magnetic field we can dramatically change the self-
interactions in the condensate. This allows us to produce and
study a wide variety of behaviors. These include quantum collapses and
explosion of the condensate ("Bosenova") and the creation of BECs that
are quantum superpositions of atoms and molecules. The molecules formed in
this process are very exotic -- more like atom Cooper pairs than traditional
molecules. We are investigating these molecules and general features of
these "resonant BECs."
View "Bosenova"
View 85Rb BEC apparatus
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