All-Optical Bose-Einstein Condensates in Microgravity

Abstract

We report on the all-optical production of Bose-Einstein condensates in microgravity using a combination of grey molasses cooling, light-shift engineering and optical trapping in a painted potential. Forced evaporative cooling in a 3-m high Einstein elevator results in 4 × 10 4 condensed atoms every 13.5 s, with a temperature as low as 35 nK. In this system, the atomic cloud can expand in weightlessness for up to 400 ms, paving the way for atom interferometry experiments with extended interrogation times and studies of ultra-cold matter physics at low energies on ground or in Space.

AEDGE: Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration in Space

“…It is also intended as a pathfinder for future space missions [100]. • The ICE experiment operates a dual-species atom interferometer in weightlessness in parabolic flights [101], and recently reported the all-optical formation of a BEC in the microgravity environment obtained on an Einstein elevator [102]. • In the context of the ISS Space Optical Clock (I-SOC) project of ESA [103,104] to use cold strontium atoms in space to compare and synchronize atomic clocks worldwide (which can also be used to look for topological DM), ESA is running a development programme aimed at increasing the TRL of strontium-related laser technology.…”

The Bose-Einstein Condensate and Cold Atom Laboratory

“…The following parts focus on experiments which are either not realizable on ground or which are expected to show improved performance when transferred to microgravity. Some experiments presented here build upon and extend research that has been realized in QUANTUS [19,20], MAIUS [28], CAL [32], and other microgravity activities [24,27,36].…”

“…be utilised in searches for dark matter [26]. A BEC has already been demonstrated in a smaller Einstein Elevator [27].…”

Exploring the foundations of the physical universe with space tests of the equivalence principle

“…The experiment uses frequency-doubled telecom lasers to manipulate the atoms [17], and hyperfine dark state cooling and loading of Rb, and possibly K, to improve the phase space density of the atomic source [143]. Recently the payload was put on a 3-m microgravity simulator and produced an alloptical degenerate source of Rb at 35 nK temperature allowing to explore the relevant weightlessness times of 400 ms [142].…”