CIGMA - Controlled Interactions in Quantum Gases or Metastable Atoms

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We propose a comprehensive collaborative effort to advance the study of quantum gases using metastable atoms. The CIGMA collaboration includes almost all the major experimental groups in the field as well as two strong theory groups. The intended work is both, experimental and theoretical with strong interplay between the different experimental groups as well as between experiment and theory.The research program we propose will focus on 4 lines of research: the search for long-range correlation effects in Bose and Fermi gases, the study and control of the interaction of atoms in optical lattices and dipole traps, the search for new interaction effects such as Feshbach resonances in metastable gases and their control, and the metrology in ultracold metastable atoms. Work within this CRP can be carried out using two different atomic species (helium and neon) both providing bosonic and fermionic isotopes as well as hetero-nuclear mixtures of different isotopes.The collaboration consists of 4 regular partners and 1 associated partner. Partners: Darmstadt, Paris/Orsay, Warsaw and Florence. Associated partner: Amsterdam. Of these the Warsaw group is purely theoretical, while the other groups are primarily experimental, with additional strong theoretical work being carried out within the Orsay node.The concentration of expertise on metastable gases represented by this CRP does not exist anywhere else in Europe nor outside Europe. The participating groups know each other well, and fruitful collaborations on other topics have existed for some time. Through the EuroQuam initiative, European leadership in the field of controlled interactions in quantum gases of metastable atoms can be enormously reinforced by creating an all-European consortium as proposed by our Collaborative Research Project CIGMA.