Thermometry with spin-dependent lattices

D. McKay, B. Demarco

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We propose a method for measuring the temperature of strongly correlated phases of ultracold atom gases confined in spin-dependent optical lattices. In this technique, a small number of 'impurity' atoms-trapped in a state that does not experience the lattice potential-are in thermal contact with atoms bound to the lattice. The impurity serves as a thermometer for the system because its temperature can be straightforwardly measured using timeof-flight expansion velocity. This technique may be useful for resolving many open questions regarding thermalization in these isolated systems. We discuss the theory behind this method and demonstrate proof-of-principle experiments, including the first realization of a three-dimensional (3D) spin-dependent lattice in the strongly correlated regime.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number055013
JournalNew Journal of Physics
Volume12
DOIs
StatePublished - May 28 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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