Ultracold molecules from ultracold atoms : interactions in sodium and lithium gas

The thesis presents results from experiments in which ultracold Sodium-6 and Lithium-23 atomic gases were studied near a Feshbach resonance at high magnetic fields. The enhanced interactions between atoms in the presence of a molecular state enhance collisions, leading to inelastic decay and loss, many-body dynamics, novel quantum phases, and molecule formation. Experimental data is presented alongside relevant theory and numerical models. Results are presented for both homonuclear Na 2 and Li 2 molecules, as well as heteronuclear NaLi resonances, although we were unable to isolate and measure NaLi molecules. Furthermore, experiments and theories related to strongly-correlated quantum phases such as Stoner model ferromagnetism, Bose mediated Fermi interactions, and Bose-Fermi mixtures are presented as applicable to Na and Li gases. Conclusions are presented regarding the feasibility of producing deeply bound, dipolar NaLi molecules, as well as future prospects for strongly interacting atomic gases of Na and Li.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Christensen, Caleb A

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Wolfgang Ketterle and David E. Pritchard.

• Physics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/68868

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/68868