Coherent Atom Optics with Optical Potentials: A Summary of New Phenomena with Bose-Einstein Condensates at the University of Arizona

The Bose-Einstein condensation BEC laboratory at the University of Arizona has built a program of research that focuses on two areas of BEC physics. First, we developed techniques necessary to experimentally investigate dynamic quasi-condensed states. With our system, we have instituted new directions of experimental BEC physics studying spontaneous formation of topological defects during the BEC phase transition, and studying transitions to superfluid turbulent states. As phase transitions and turbulence occur throughout natural phenomena, this work is further relevant to a wide range of subjects in physics. Our first published results have been enabled using the support of ARO award DAAD19-03-1-0368 our research in these areas is also ongoing. Our second main efforts have revolved around refining capabilities for studying and manipulating vortices and ultra-cold gases in disc-shaped and annular potentials using optical potentials, with a particular eye towards quantum engineering of vortex and persistent current states. These efforts involve often separate areas of investigation manipulating condensates with laser light, two-dimensional physics, fluid dynamics and turbulence, phase-transition dynamics, and vortices and persistent currents. Our efforts are collaborative, with theoretical work at multiple universities and experimental work in Arizona progressing in tandem.