Matter wave lensing to picokelvin temperatures

Timothy Light Kovachy, Jason M. Hogan, Alex Sugarbaker, Susannah M. Dickerson, Christine A. Donnelly, Chris Overstreet, Mark A. Kasevich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

154 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using a matter wave lens and a long time of flight, we cool an ensemble of Rb87 atoms in two dimensions to an effective temperature of less than 50-30+50pK. A short pulse of red-detuned light generates an optical dipole force that collimates the ensemble. We also report a three-dimensional magnetic lens that substantially reduces the chemical potential of evaporatively cooled ensembles with a high atom number. By observing such low temperatures, we set limits on proposed modifications to quantum mechanics in the macroscopic regime. These cooling techniques yield bright, collimated sources for precision atom interferometry.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number143004
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume114
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 8 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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