Spin Orbit Coupling in Ultracold Gases (IMAGE)

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Spin Orbit Coupling in Ultracold Gases

Caption

In an ultracold gas of nearly 200,000 rubidium-87 atoms (shown as the large humps) the atoms can occupy one of two energy levels (represented as red and blue); lasers then link together these levels as a function of the atoms' motion. At first atoms in the red and blue energy states occupy the same region (Phase Mixed), then at higher laser strengths, they separate into different regions (Phase Separated).

Credit

Ian Spielman, JQI/NIST

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