Bose-Einstein Condensation of Strontium

TL;DR

This paper reports the successful creation of Bose-Einstein condensates using ultracold 84Sr atoms, demonstrating a new platform for quantum-degenerate gases with two-electron systems.

Contribution

First realization of Bose-Einstein condensation with 84Sr atoms, highlighting its potential for future quantum experiments.

Findings

Achieved pure condensates with 1.5x10^5 atoms

Utilized metastable state accumulation and evaporative cooling

Established 84Sr as a promising candidate for quantum-degenerate gases

Abstract

We report on the attainment of Bose-Einstein condensation with ultracold strontium atoms. We use the 84Sr isotope, which has a low natural abundance but offers excellent scattering properties for evaporative cooling. Accumulation in a metastable state using a magnetic-trap, narrowline cooling, and straightforward evaporative cooling in an optical trap lead to pure condensates containing 1.5x10^5 atoms. This puts 84Sr in a prime position for future experiments on quantum-degenerate gases involving atomic two-electron systems.