Preview

PDF, English Download (34MB) | Lizenz: Progress and Challenges in Setting up an Ultracold 23Na-39K Quantum Gas Experiment by Höcker, Lilo underlies the terms of Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

Abstract

This thesis describes the ongoing construction of an ultra-cold atomic mixture experiment using sodium (23Na) and potassium (39K). The planned experimental setup consists of a two-dimensional trap geometry with a high-resolution imaging system for observing the atoms. This new setup aims to provide a robust and stable mixture experiment, ensuring as much flexibility and independence of the two species as possible. In this experiment, sodium atoms have been cooled to degeneracy, and Feshbach resonance measurements of thermal potassium in the optical dipole trap have been conducted [1]. The achievement of a dual-species degeneracy has been impeded by considerable three-body losses between sodium and potassium to date. This thesis describes the experimental setup, focusing on the vacuum system and the two-dimensional magneto-optical trap, and provides a critical discussion of these components. These components influence the efficient loading of atoms into the subsequent stages of the experiment. In addition, this thesis describes the design and optical characterisation of the two-dimensional optical dipole trap and the vertical high numerical aperture imaging system. Both are important steps towards the two-dimensional geometry of the system and the first experiments after achieving the dual species condensate.