Photoassociation of sodium in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We form ultracold Na2 molecules by single-photon photoassociation of a Bose-Einstein condensate, measuring the photoassociation rate, linewidth, and light shift of the J = 1, v = 135 vibrational level of the A1 Sigma (+)(u) molecular state. The photoassociation rate constant increases linearly with intensity, even where it is predicted that many-body effects might limit the rate. Our observations are in good agreement with a two-body theory having no free parameters.     

Hyperfine anomaly measurements in francium isotopes and the radial distribution of neutrons

We have performed precision measurements in a magneto-optical trap of the 7P_1/2 hyperfine structure of the isotopes ^209-210Fr. The ratio of these hyperfine constants to the previously measured 7S_1/2 ground state values reveals a significant hyperfine anomaly. This anomaly results from the different radial dependence of the electron density in the two atomic levels. The measurements are sensitive to changes in the radial distribution of the neutron magnetism. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Laser traps for radioactive isotopes

The techniques of laser cooling and trapping now make it possible to observe large samples of stable atoms in a small volume at low temperature. This capability was recently extended to radioactive isotopes. This opens up new opportunities for the investigation of fundamental symmetries through measurements using radioactive atoms. In this paper we will discuss several fundamental measurements in atomic systems and how the ability to trap radioactive atoms will play an important role in improving the precision of such measurements. Measurements of the effects of the weak interaction are of particular note since they are becoming quite precise. In particular, we will describe in detail the system developed at Stony Brook to trap radioactive alkali atoms and measure weak interaction effects in francium isotopes.     

Imaging the phase of an evolving bose-einstein condensate wave function

We demonstrate a spatially resolved autocorrelation measurement with a Bose-Einstein condensate and measure the evolution of the spatial profile of its quantum mechanical phase. Upon release of the condensate from the magnetic trap, its phase develops a form that we measure to be quadratic in the spatial coordinate. Our experiments also reveal the effects of the repulsive interaction between two overlapping condensate wave packets and we measure the small momentum they impart to each other.