Tunable Interactions in Quantum Gases of Lithium

William Marsh Rice University, Houston TX

Investigators

Abstract

This award provides funding for the continuation of a research project in the study of Bose-Einstein (BE) condensation in cold lithium atoms. Both Li-6 and Li-7 and mixtures of these two isotopes will be studied. BE condensation in Li-7 is particularly interesting because one of the spin states has attractive interactions, and some of the work will focus on the continuation of studies of this condensate, particularly the effect of the application of a magnetic field to produce Feshbach resonances. A Feshbach resonance will also be used to tune the interaction in a pair of Li-6 spin states, with the goal of producing an s-wave Cooper pairing phase transition. Finally, two-photon photoassociation to a molecular ground state in Li-7 will be used to change the interaction strength with the goal of producing and trapping ultracold molecules of diatomic lithium that may then undergo BE condensation.