Department or Program

Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

With the recent production of Bose-Einstein condensates using NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) aboard the International Space Station, research is underway focusing on the extent to which quantum mechanics can be studied in a microgravity environment. These condensates have the potential to be the coldest ever studied in experiment and in free-fall their place in orbit allows us to observe them in long time-of-flights. This thesis reports fitting analyses and trap frequency characterization of imaging data from condensates in conventional magnetic potentials. This information will be used for the calibration and design of future experiments with CAL, regarding both conventional and radio-frequency dressed traps. Of particular interest to further study are ellipsoidal shell condensates and the quasi-two-dimensional condensate that exists on its surface in the limit of low shell thickness.

Level of Access

Restricted: Embargoed [Open Access After Expiration]

First Advisor

Lundblad, Nathan

Date of Graduation

5-2019

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Number of Pages

66

Components of Thesis

One PDF file.

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