Department or Program
Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The behavior of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) depends strongly on the shape of the external trapping potential, making control of trap geometry an important experimental tool in ultracold atomic physics. Optical dipole traps provide a flexible way to shape this potential, but they require careful control of laser beam properties and stability. In this thesis, a blue-detuned optical dipole beam is developed and integrated into an existing rubidium-87 BEC experiment to modify the trapping geometry and explore geometry-dependent effects in a many-body quantum system. The project focuses on the design of the optical system, characterization of the delivered beam, and implementation of the resulting repulsive optical potential near the atomic sample. By introducing controlled repulsive regions, this work aims to observe changes in the condensate density distribution and confinement geometry, providing a way of studying how trap geometry influences the behavior and excitations of ultracold quantum gases.
Level of Access
Restricted: Embargoed [Open Access After Expiration]
First Advisor
Lundblad, Nathan
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Recommended Citation
Rodriguez Thorne, Paloma, "From Wells to Walls: Engineering Optical Potentials with Blue-Detuned Light for Bose–Einstein Condensates" (2026). Honors Theses. 526.
https://scarab.bates.edu/honorstheses/526
Number of Pages
79