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M. Theis

Publications and source records attributed to M. Theis.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Atom-molecule dark states in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We have created a dark quantum superposition state of a Rb Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) and a degenerate gas of Rb$_2$ ground state molecules in a specific ro-vibrational state using two-color photoassociation. As a signature for the decoupling of this coherent atom-molecule gas from the light field we observe a striking suppression of photoassociation loss. In our experiment the maximal molecule population in the dark state is limited to about 100 Rb$_2$ molecules due to laser induced decay. The experimental findings can be well described by a simple three mode model.

cond-mat.other

Tuning the scattering length with an optically induced Feshbach resonance

We demonstrate optical tuning of the scattering length in a Bose-Einstein condensate as predicted by Fedichev {\em et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 77}, 2913 (1996)]. In our experiment atoms in a $^{87}$Rb condensate are exposed to laser light which is tuned close to the transition frequency to an excited molecular state. By controlling the power and detuning of the laser beam we can change the atomic scattering length over a wide range. In view of laser-driven atomic losses we use Bragg spectroscopy as a fast method to measure the scattering length of the atoms.

cond-mat.soft