Physics Colloquium, February 28, 2008
A Bose Condensate in an Optical Lattice: cold atomic gases as solid state systems William D. Phillips

NIST

An atomic-gas Bose-Einstein Condensate, placed in the periodic light-shift potential of an optical standing wave is similar to the familiar problem of electrons in a periodic, solid-state crystal lattice. Among the differences are that the BEC is coherent across the entire lattice, has essentially a single quasi momentum, and that the lattice potential can be rapidly altered. Experiments not readily done in solids are often easy in optical lattices, sometimes with surprising results. Optical lattices can simulate important solid state models that are difficult or impossible to calculate.

Dr. Phillips's Web Site

4:00 p.m., Physics Research Building (PRB), Room 1080

Reception at 3:45 p.m., Atrium, PRB