Towards the study of quantum engines in 41K-87Rb Bose-Bose Mixtures

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The particular questions this project aims to address can be summarised in the following four points: 1. Understanding the thermalization of the single particle with a bath - Thermalization and equilibration are usually treated following two different approaches, one originating from quantum optics and the other from quantum information theory. The provision of a (currently lacking) unified understanding of such fundamental phenomena is the core of this objective.2. Realisation of simple quantum thermo-machines - Realizing quantum engines requires to realize quantum thermodynamic transformations and combine them in cycles that can be run repeatedly. Our experiment will be able to realize Quantum Carnot, Otto and Diesel engines. 3. Quantum engineering of working medium - Quantum states are "richer" than classical ones. They feature quantum coherences from which one can extract work. Work can also be extracted from quantum correlations.4. Exploration of prototype many-particle quantum engines - Many-body effects can also be exploited to build more efficient engines. A working fluid of interacting quantum particles has been proven to produce more power than the sum of single-particle engines. Ultra cold atoms mixtures will be used in order to achieve the required low temperatures and degree of control over the system. In particular, the chosen atomic species for this experiment are 41K, which will be our single atom quantum engine, and 87Rb, which will act as a thermal bath. These two alkali metal can be cooled via laser cooling and a posterior evaporative cooling to the ultra cold regime. Furthermore, these two species present a very convenient interspecies Feshbach resonance that allows us to tune the interaction between them. In the current state, we are able to reach the ultra cold regime of 87Rb and the near ultra cold regime of 41K. After this, we will have to work in the novel methods to manipulate the atoms which are summarised in the following points: 1. Fibre-atom interfaces and fibre-based technology - Quantum systems integrated with optical fibres offer unprecedented flexibility and reconfiguration opportunities. A large number of quantum experiments have pursued such direction to interface quantum systems with micro-fabricated fibres, including atoms, mechanical resonators, ions, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots and wells and NV-centres in diamonds. Such versatility is promoting fibre-based systems as very exciting technological platforms.2. Realizing optical tweezers for single-atom manipulations - This is currently one of the hottest topics in the area of ultra-cold atoms. This technique is promising to realize arbitrary atom arrays atom by atom, and has also proven to be very effective in understanding few body physics and building quantum sensing devices. One of the most challenging yet tantalising directions is to realize optical tweezers for atoms of different species. This will demonstrate the first species-selective optical tweezer, thus contributing to this exciting quest.