Interacting Quantum Mixtures of Lithium and Ytterbium Atoms

该奖项为一项实验研究计划提供支持，该计划使用原子物理学的精确工具在桌面环境中研究量子物质。原子集合将被冷却到室温的十亿分之一，并被限制在电磁陷阱中，以隔离其量子特性。研究原子之间的相互作用，在少粒子和多粒子水平将进行使用锂和镱原子的混合物。这些研究将探索基本而复杂的三体问题，这些问题存在于从原子结合到天体力学的所有长度尺度上。此外，将进行被困在光学晶格几何中的原子实验，揭示凝聚态物质现象，如相变和模式形成。在研究的同时，将积极开展相关的教育和推广活动。研究生和本科生将在项目过程中获得宝贵的研究经验，为他们作为下一代科学家和工程师加入学术界和工业界的工作做好准备。该研究计划还将纳入外展活动。这将包括为当地社区大学、初中和高中学生提供定期讲座和实验室参观，以及通过nsf本科生研究经验项目进行的暑期研究实习。

This award provides support for an experimental research program to study quantum matter in a table-top setting using the precise tools of atomic physics. Collections of atoms will be cooled to about one-billionth of room temperature and confined in electromagnetic traps in order to isolate its quantum properties. Studies of interactions between atoms at the few-particle and many-particle level will be carried out using mixtures of lithium and ytterbium atoms. These studies will probe the fundamental yet complex three-body problem, which abounds at all length scales from atomic binding to celestial mechanics. Additionally, experiments with atoms trapped in optical lattice geometries will be carried out, shedding light on condensed matter phenomena such as phase transitions and pattern formation.Concurrent with the research component, related education and outreach will be actively performed. Graduate and undergraduate students will gain valuable research experience in the course of the project, preparing them to join the work force in academics and industry as the next generation of scientists and engineers. The research program will also be leveraged to encompass outreach activity. This will involve periodic lectures and lab tours for local community college, middle and high school students, as well as summer research internships through the NSF-Research Experience for Undergraduates program.