Development of an optical system for imaging Bose-Einstein condensates with high resolution

Abstract

The study of quantum gases is performed inside atomic traps, in which the quantum gas develops its dynamics, undergoes possible phase transitions or develops spatial structures, like vortices or solitons. The diagnostics of such phenomena is done through images of the quantum cloud outside the trap, in free expansion. The images in free expansion circumvent technical limitations related to the atomic cloud size and density which preclude the correct measurement of the atomic properties. Recently, several groups developed atomic microscopes, with which one can image the atomic clouds with high resolution, opening the possibility to look at the atoms in situ. This technique can be useful for the experiments involving quantum turbulence being carried out in our labs. The objective of the work is to plan and test a high resolution imaging system that adapts to the needs and restrictions imposed by the experimental setup already existent and in which we study quantum turbulence. (AU)