Characterization and construction of devices to measure and control magnetic fields for Bose-Einstein condensation experiments

• Grant number: 07/07732-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2008
• End date: December 31, 2009
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Principal Investigator: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Grantee: Patrícia Christina Marques Castilho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 98/14270-8 - Center for Optical and Photonics Science, AP.CEPID

Abstract

In our lab, we obtained a Bose-Einstein condensation in sodium atoms in 2004. With this condensate we implemented the first measurements to study the cold atoms thermodynamics. Because of technical problems, we have decided to invest in a new apparatus based on rubidium atoms since 2005. Two months ago we obtained our first condensate of rubidium and now we are optimizing the system to implement the first measurements. The idea of experiments is to study the dynamics of the condensate trapped on the confining potential. The present project is related with this experiment and the target is mapping and activally controls the possible variations of magnetic field that disturbs the reproducibility of our experiment. Patricia Castilho will work with Emanuel Henn and Gabriela Seco in this project. As we also are starting a new project on condensation of rubidium, the undergraduate student will also work on the project and building of this experiment with Jorge A. Seman. (AU)