2D Surface Trap for Quantum Simulation

ORAL

Abstract

We present a novel optical trapping scheme for low dimensional quantum gases. Using a combination of evanescent waves, standing waves, and magnetic potentials we create a 2D Bose-Einstein condensate at a distance of only a few microns away from a glass surface. The trapping potentials near the surface are smooth and allow for a highly anisotropic confinement with an aspect ratio of 300:1:1 as well as long lifetimes of the 2D quantum gas. We are able to directly detect phase fluctuations and vortices. The setup is especially suitable for many body quantum simulations and applications such as high precision measurements close to surfaces.

*Work supported by NSF, AFOSR, DARPA and Sloan.

Authors

  • Jonathon Gillen

    • Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and Dept. of Physics, Harvard University
    • Harvard/MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and Department of Physics Harvard University

  • Waseem Bakr

    • Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and Dept. of Physics, Harvard University
    • Harvard/MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and Department of Physics Harvard University

  • Amy Peng

    • Harvard/MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and Department of Physics Harvard University

  • Simon F\"olling

    • Harvard/MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and Department of Physics Harvard University

  • Markus Greiner

    • Harvard/MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms and Department of Physics Harvard University