Bose Einstein condensate/ atom laser

In summary, the conversation discusses two questions about Bose Einstein condensate and atom lasers. The first question is about the de Broglie wavelengths of the atoms and the answer is that they all have the same wavelength in order to form a BEC. The second question is about the spin of the atoms, which can be aligned even though the individual electrons may not be in the same state. The exclusion principle does not apply to the atoms as a whole.
  • #1
Feynmanbest
1
0
Dear,

I am reading a paper on Bose Einstein condensate and an atom laser. I have two questions which are bothering me for a time.

- When you are going to make do all the atoms start with the same the Broglie wavelenghts or do they start with different wavelenghts due to different energie's?

- I read about an atom laser using the stern garlach effect where they say: "All the atoms have their (electron) spin up and are lined up in the magnetic field". The atoms are bosons but the electron are under the power of the exclusion principle of paule how can they all have the same spin?

Sorry if my questions are unclear
Thanks! ;)
 
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  • #2
First question, the (simplified) answer is that: They have the same de Broglie wavelength. Otherwise it would not be a BEC.
(In fact, they need not have a definite dB wavelength; but they should all be in the *same quantum state* which can be a superposition of different wavelengths.)

Second question: A bosonic atom consists of an even number of fermions (electrons + protons + neutrons). The "electron spin" of the atom is the *sum* of the spins of all electrons and these can be lined up, even though two individual electrons are not in the same state.
 

What is a Bose Einstein condensate?

A Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter that occurs when a group of bosons (particles with integer spin) are cooled to near absolute zero, causing them to lose their individual identities and behave as a single entity. This phenomenon was first predicted by Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein in the 1920s.

How is a Bose Einstein condensate created?

A Bose Einstein condensate is created by cooling a gas of bosonic atoms to extremely low temperatures, typically less than a millionth of a degree above absolute zero. This is achieved using techniques such as laser cooling and evaporative cooling. As the atoms reach lower temperatures, they begin to clump together and form a BEC.

What is an atom laser?

An atom laser is a device that uses a BEC to produce a coherent beam of atoms, similar to how a traditional laser produces a coherent beam of light. It works by using a magnetic field to trap and manipulate the BEC, and then releasing it in a controlled manner to create a beam of atoms with a specific energy and direction.

What are the potential applications of Bose Einstein condensates and atom lasers?

Bose Einstein condensates and atom lasers have potential applications in fields such as quantum computing, precision measurements, and atomic clocks. They also have the potential to be used in the development of new technologies such as atom interferometers and atom lithography.

What are the current challenges in studying Bose Einstein condensates and atom lasers?

Some of the current challenges in studying Bose Einstein condensates and atom lasers include maintaining the low temperatures required for the BEC to exist, controlling the properties of the BEC, and finding ways to increase the coherence and stability of the atom laser beam. Additionally, there is still much to learn about the fundamental properties and behaviors of BECs and atom lasers.

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