SEMINÁRIO DO LAB. DE MANIPULAÇÃO COERENTE DE ÁTOMOS E LUZ
“Bose-Einstein Condensation in Microgravity”
Palestrante: Prof. Wolfgang P. Schleich - Institut für Quantenphysik and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST), Universität Ulm, D-89069 Ulm, Germany; Texas A&M University Institute for Advanced Study (TIAS), Department of Physics and Astronomy and Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering (IQSE), Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Dia: 21 de outubro, sexta-feira, Auditório Norte, IFUSP, às 14h.
Abstract:
The gedanken experiment of a freely falling elevator was crucial for the development of the theory of general relativity. In such an environment, there are locally no gravitational forces, an idea that gave birth to the equivalence principle. Whereas general relativity rules the macroscopic world, quantum mechanics dominates the microscopic scales and reveals the wave nature of matter. Bose-Einstein condensates exist on the border between quantum and classical physics; they are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics but can take macroscopic dimensions. We take advantage of the absence of gravity in a freely falling elevator to perform experiments with a Bose-Einstein condensate in microgravity. These experiments take place in the 146-m-high drop tower of the Center of Applied Space Technology and Gravity (ZARM) in Bremen. We summarize our activities on this interface between quantum and gravity and present an outlook on future experimental possibilities provided by the International Space Station. [1] T. van Zoest et al., Bose-Einstein condensation in microgravity, Science 328, 1540 (2010). [2] H. Müntinga et al., Interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates in microgravity, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 093602 (2013).
