Observation of Bose–Einstein condensates in an Earth-orbiting research lab

Aveline, David C.; Williams, Jason; Elliott, Ethan; Dutenhoffer, Chelsea; Kellogg, James R.; Kohel, James M.; Lay, Norman; Oudrhiri, Kamal; Shotwell, Robert; Yu, Nan; Thompson, Robert J.

doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2346-1

Cited by 220 publications

(162 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The recent advances in microgravity experiments with Bose-Einstein condensates have recently allowed us to extend the intrinsic limits of ground-based experiments and to realize exotic confining potentials for systems of ultracold atoms [1][2][3][4][5][6]. In particular, the seminal proposal by Zobay and Garraway to produce matter-wave condensate bubbles [7][8][9] is currently under investigation in NASA cold atom laboratory (CAL) on the international space station [10].…”

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confidence: 99%

Quantum Bubbles in Microgravity

2020

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The recent developments of microgravity experiments with ultracold atoms have produced a relevant boost in the study of shell-shaped ellipsoidal Bose-Einstein condensates. For realistic bubble-trap parameters, here we calculate the critical temperature of Bose-Einstein condensation, which, if compared to the one of the bare harmonic trap with the same frequencies, shows a strong reduction. We simulate the zero-temperature density distribution with the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, and we study the free expansion of the hollow condensate. While part of the atoms expands in the outward direction, the condensate selfinterferes inside the bubble trap, filling the hole in experimentally observable times. For a mesoscopic number of particles in a strongly interacting regime, for which more refined approaches are needed, we employ quantum Monte Carlo simulations, proving that the nontrivial topology of a thin shell allows superfluidity. Our work constitutes a reliable benchmark for the forthcoming scientific investigations with bubble traps.

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confidence: 99%

Quantum Bubbles in Microgravity

2020

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“…As mentioned in the White Paper, there is an urgent need to raise the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of cold atom devices for space applications, including but not limited to interferometers. We note in this connection the recent successful observation of Bose-Einstein condensation on the ISS by the BEC Collaboration [45], as well as recent progress in the development of technologies for quantum communication [46].…”

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confidence: 84%

AEDGE: Atomic experiment for dark matter and gravity exploration in space

et al. 2021

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This article contains a summary of the White Paper submitted in 2019 to the ESA Voyage 2050 process, which was subsequently published in EPJ Quantum Technology (AEDGE Collaboration et al. EPJ Quant. Technol. 7,6 2020). We propose in this White Paper a concept for a space experiment using cold atoms to search for ultra-light dark matter, and to detect gravitational waves in the frequency range between the most sensitive ranges of LISA and the terrestrial LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA/INDIGO experiments. This interdisciplinary experiment, called Atomic Experiment for Dark Matter and Gravity Exploration (AEDGE), will also complement other planned searches for dark matter, and exploit synergies with other gravitational wave detectors. We give examples of the extended range of sensitivity to ultra-light dark matter offered by AEDGE, and how its gravitational-wave measurements could explore the assembly of super-massive black holes, first-order phase transitions in the early universe and cosmic strings. AEDGE will be based upon technologies now being developed for terrestrial experiments using cold atoms, and will benefit from the space experience obtained with, e.g., LISA and cold atom experiments in microgravity.

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“…In a larger-scale device, our scheme reaches sensitivities on the 10 −10 rad/s level, able to precisely monitor the Earth's rotation and adds the feature of an alternative method of vibration suppression compared to butterfly-type atom interferometers [15]. The presented scheme is intrinsically symmetric and therefore directly applicable in a microgravity environment [59][60][61] to monitor rotation rates with suppressed environmental acceleration noise, thus enabling high precision measurements. Overall, it highlights the applicability and versatility of BECs for inertial measurements under a variety of different conditions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential interferometry using a Bose-Einstein condensate

et al. 2020

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Out of a single Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), we create two simultaneous interferometers, as employed for the differentiation between rotations and accelerations. Our method exploits the precise motion control of BECs combined with the precise momentum transfer by double Bragg diffraction for interferometry. In this way, the scheme avoids the complexity of two BEC sources and can be readily extended to a six-axis quantum inertial measurement unit. Graphical abstract

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Observation of Bose–Einstein condensates in an Earth-orbiting research lab

Cited by 220 publications

References 36 publications

Quantum Bubbles in Microgravity

Quantum Bubbles in Microgravity

AEDGE: Atomic experiment for dark matter and gravity exploration in space

Differential interferometry using a Bose-Einstein condensate

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