Probing cavity quantum electrodynamics with an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate: many-body theory of atom-surface interaction; high-precision characterization of quantum and thermal field fluctuations near a surface

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Ultracold atomic matter waves are currently emerging as a novel tool to explore cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED). We propose to merge the well-known single-atom cQED with the many-body theory that is needed to describe degenerate atomic gases and Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). We aim in particular at evaluating the manybody impact on atom-surface interactions of the van der Waals-Casimir-Polder type, inspired by recent experiments with BECs trapped near a surface. In addition, we will assess the potential of atom interferometry to detect quantum and thermal fluctuations of the van der Waals force. These will limit the coherence time of integrated devices based on neutral atom traps near surfaces, with fundamental consequences, e.g., for implementing quantum information in “atom chip” devices.