Towards a quantum gas microscope for fermionic atoms

This thesis reports the achievement of a two-species apparatus for use in an upcoming experiment with fermionic ultracold atomic gases. First, we describe the construction of a laser system capable of cooling and trapping gaseous lithium-6 atoms in a 3D Magneto-Optical Trap. Second, we discuss the realization of a 2D Magneto-Optical Trap which, in our experiment, acts as a high-flux source of cold potassium-40 atoms. These two systems are critical first steps in cooling the lithium and potassium atoms to quantum degeneracy.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Ramasesh, Vinay (Vinay V.)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Martin Zwierlein.

• 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/1721.1/78522

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/78522