arXiv subjects

Thorsten Schumm

Publications and source records attributed to Thorsten Schumm.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Quantum noise thermometry for bosonic Josephson junctions in the mean field regime

Bosonic Josephson junctions can be realized by confining ultracold gases of bosons in multi-well traps, and studied theoretically with the $M$-site Bose-Hubbard model. We show that canonical equilibrium states of the $M$-site Bose-Hubbard model may be approximated by mixtures of coherent states, provided the number of atoms is large and the total energy is comparable to $k_BT$. Using this approximation, we study thermal fluctuations in bosonic Josephson junctions in the mean field regime. Statistical estimates of the fluctuations of relative phase and number, obtained by averaging over many replicates of an experiment, can be used to estimate the temperature and the tunneling parameter, or to test whether the experimental procedure is effectively sampling from a canonical thermal equilibrium ensemble.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2009

Stochastic optimization of a cold atom experiment using a genetic algorithm

We employ an evolutionary algorithm to automatically optimize different stages of a cold atom experiment without human intervention. This approach closes the loop between computer based experimental control systems and automatic real time analysis and can be applied to a wide range of experimental situations. The genetic algorithm quickly and reliably converges to the most performing parameter set independent of the starting population. Especially in many-dimensional or connected parameter spaces the automatic optimization outperforms a manual search.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2008

Multi-layer atom chips for versatile atom micro manipulation

We employ a combination of optical UV- and electron-beam-lithography to create an atom chip combining sub-micron wire structures with larger conventional wires on a single substrate. The new multi-layer fabrication enables crossed wire configurations, greatly enhancing the flexibility in designing potentials for ultra cold quantum gases and Bose-Einstein condensates. Large current densities of >6 x 10^7 A/cm^2 and high voltages of up to 65 V across 0.3 micron gaps are supported by even the smallest wire structures. We experimentally demonstrate the flexibility of the next generation atom chip by producing Bose-Einstein condensates in magnetic traps created by a combination of wires involving all different fabrication methods and structure sizes.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2007

Opposite sign correlations in fermion or boson gases

We investigate pair correlations in trapped fermion and boson gases as a means to probe the quantum states producing the density fluctuations. We point out that "opposite sign correlations" (meaning pair correlations that are positive for fermions and negative for bosons) unambiguously indicate that the quantum many-particle state cannot be "free." In particular, a system of fermions that exhibits positive pair correlations cannot be described by any Slater determinant wavefunction. This insight may help one to interpret results of current experiments on ultracold atomic gases.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Observations of density fluctuations in an elongated Bose gas: ideal gas and quasi-condensate regimes

We report in situ measurements of density fluctuations in a quasi one dimensional Bose gas at thermal equilibrium in an elongated harmonic trap. We observe an excess of fluctuations compared to the shot noise level expected for uncorrelated atoms. At low atomic density, the measured excess is in good agreement with the expected bunching for an ideal Bose gas. At high density, the measured fluctuations are strongly reduced compared to the ideal gas case. We attribute this reduction to repulsive interatomic interactions. The data are compared with a calculation for an interacting Bose gas in the quasi-condensate regime.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2005

Atom chips in the real world: the effects of wire corrugation

We present a detailed model describing the effects of wire corrugation on the trapping potential experienced by a cloud of atoms above a current carrying micro wire. We calculate the distortion of the current distribution due to corrugation and then derive the corresponding roughness in the magnetic field above the wire. Scaling laws are derived for the roughness as a function of height above a ribbon shaped wire. We also present experimental data on micro wire traps using cold atoms which complement some previously published measurements and which demonstrate that wire corrugation can satisfactorily explain our observations of atom cloud fragmentation above electroplated gold wires. Finally, we present measurements of the corrugation of new wires fabricated by electron beam lithography and evaporation of gold. These wires appear to be substantially smoother than electroplated wires.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2005

Realizing a stable magnetic double-well potential on an atom chip

We discuss design considerations and the realization of a magnetic double-well potential on an atom chip using current-carrying wires. Stability requirements for the trapping potential lead to a typical size of order microns for such a device. We also present experiments using the device to manipulate cold, trapped atoms.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2004

The role of wire imperfections in micro magnetic traps for atoms

We present a quantitative study of roughness in the magnitude of the magnetic fieldproduced by a current carrying microwire, i.e. in the trapping potential for paramagnetic atoms.We show that this potential roughness arises from deviations in the wire current flow due to geometric fluctuations of the edges of the wire : a measurement of the potentialusing cold trapped atoms agrees with the potential computed from the measurement of the wire edge roughness by a scanning electronmicroscope.

physics.atom-ph↗