Bose-Einstein condensation transition studies for atoms confined in Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes

TL;DR

This paper provides theoretical analysis of Bose-Einstein condensation transitions in atoms confined by Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes, highlighting the effects of trap geometry and potential approximation on transition properties.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed comparison between full potential calculations and harmonic approximations for BEC in Laguerre-Gaussian traps, quantifying deviations.

Findings

Deviations between full potential and harmonic approximation are 3%-8%.

Laguerre-Gaussian modes create multiply connected trap geometries.

Theoretical predictions align with typical experimental parameters.

Abstract

Multiply-connected traps for cold, neutral atoms fix vortex cores of quantum gases. Laguerre-Gaussian laser modes are ideal for such traps due to their phase stability. We report theoretical calculations of the Bose-Einstein condensation transition properties and thermal characteristics of neutral atoms trapped in multiply connected geometries formed by Laguerre-Gaussian LG{p}{l} beams. Specifically, we consider atoms confined to the anti-node of a LG{0}{1} laser mode detuned to the red of an atomic resonance frequency, and those confined in the node of a blue-detuned LG{1}{1} beam. We compare the results of using the full potential to those approximating the potential minimum with a simple harmonic oscillator potential. We find that deviations between calculations of the full potential and the simple harmonic oscillator can be up to 3%-8% for trap parameters consistent with typical experiments.