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Measuring the dipolar interaction shift of the BEC critical temperature

ORAL

Abstract

The effect of dipolar interactions on harmonically trapped BECs has been the subject of intense and fruitful research over recent years, but despite being theoretically calculated over 15 years ago [1] the modification of the BEC transition temperature due to dipole-dipole interactions has, up to now, not been experimentally observed. We will present our experimental findings on this topic; using an ultracold erbium gas confined in a highly prolate trap we directly observe the dependence of the critical temperature on the orientation of the dipoles relative to the trap.

[1] Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 080407 (2007)

Presenters

  • Milan Krstajic

    Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford

Authors

  • Milan Krstajic

    Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford

  • Lucas R Hofer

    University of Oxford, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford

  • Jiří Kučera

    University of Oxford

  • Péter Juhász

    University of Oxford

  • Gavin Lamb

    University of Oxford, Clarednon Laboratory, University of Oxford

  • Robert P Smith

    University of Oxford