How Does a Bose-Einstein Condensate Develop Phase?

1995年玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚的演示是物理学的一个重要里程碑。当原子极冷时，它们的德布罗意波长可以重叠，形成单一的宏观量子流体，具有明确的相。理论家们长期以来一直在思考这一阶段的起源。在这个实验项目中，我们的目标是第一次回答这个耐人寻味的问题：BEC是如何发展的？对于最近开发的原子激光器来说，答案也将是重要的--它的潜在应用与激光一样广泛--理解相位一致性对于原子干涉仪等设备非常重要。

The demonstration of Bose-Einstein Condensation in 1995 was a major milestone in physics. When atoms are extremely cold, their de Broglie wavelengths can overlap, forming a single macroscopic quantum fluid with well defined phase. Theorists have long pondered the origins of this phase. In this experimental program we aim to answer for the first time the intriguing question: "How does a BEC develop phase?". The answer will also be important for the recently developed atom laser - with potential applications as wide-reaching as the laser - where understanding the phase coherence is important for devices such as atom interferometers.