Check out the preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.10965
Microwave shielding induces repulsive interactions and allows evaporative cooling
May 2019
Check out the preprint at https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.10965
The Will Lab investigates quantum systems of ultracold atoms and molecules. We cool atoms and molecules to ultracold temperatures close to above absolute zero - reaching the coldest temperatures allowed by nature. At these temperatures, the behavior of particles is determined by the laws of quantum mechanics. Using the precision tools of atomic physics, we have full control over the quantum state of each particle and the interactions between them.
We work towards single atom and single molecule and create novel many-body quantum systems, and perform quantum simulations of strongly interacting matter. Our research program focusses on fundamental questions in many-body quantum physics, quantum simulation, and quantum optics, and contributes to the development of modern quantum technologies. For more details go to Research.
Recent News
April 30, 2024
Atoms trapped in metasurface tweezer arrays
In collaboration with the Nanfang Yu Lab at Columbia, we have developed a technique to trap atoms in optical tweezer arrays, generated via holographic metasurfaces. The picture shows a flouresence image of about 200 Sr atoms with a mean spacing of 3 um, cooled and trapped in a metasurface tweezer array. Atom arrays with arbitrary geometry can be created with this technique. Congrats to the entire TweeSr and Yu Lab Team on this wonderful achievement!
December 1, 2023
Moore Foundation supporting our ultracold molecules effort
We are extremely grateful that the Betty and Gordon Moore Foundation is supporting our effort on ultracold dipolar molecules, in particular the creation and investigation of Bose-Einstein condensates of dipolar molecules. Thank you to the entire NaCs team - past and current members - for driving this project forward with so much dedication and energy!
Read more here: Sebastian Will Is on a Quest for Ultracold Quantum Control
December 19, 2023
Bose-Einstein condensate of dipolar molecules!
Our latest preprint is out - we report the first creation of a Bose-Einstein condensate of dipolar ground state molecules. We evaporatively cool a gas of NaCs molecules from 700 nK to 6 nK above absolute zero. At this point the molecular gas forms a Bose-Einstein condensate, the coldest molecular gas to date. The lifetime of the BEC is ~2 sec. This becomes possible with an enhanced collisional shielding method that suppresses loss by 4 orders of magnitude. Thanks so much to the entire NaCs team - past and present members - for all the amazing work on this monumental project! https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.10965
November 15, 2023
Automated detection of molecular laser cooling schemes
We propose and demonstrate a graph-based method that allows for the automated detection of laser cooling schemes in complex molecular spectra. The method leverages a change of representation, reinterpreting quantum states and transitions between them as a network graph that can be efficiently searched with modern search tools. We are excited for use cases with molecules, but the method may actually be more generally applicable, for any quantum systems with a discrete spectra. Kudos to Anna and Niccolò for spearheading this effort!
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