Experimental methods of ultracold atomic physics

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental techniques in ultracold atomic physics, highlighting their unique aspects and common methods used in cold-atom research related to many-body quantum physics.

Contribution

It provides a summary of atomic physics methods and technical elements specific to cold-atom experiments, bridging concepts with solid-state physics.

Findings

Overview of experimental techniques in ultracold atomic physics

Identification of common technical elements in cold-atom experiments

Comparison with solid-state materials research

Abstract

Experiments on solid-state materials and atomic quantum gases are increasingly investigating similar concepts in many-body quantum physics. Yet, the flavor of experiments on the gaseous atomic materials is different from that of conventional materials research. Here, we summarize some aspects of atomic physics and some of the common technical elements of cold-atom experiments which underlie the investigations described in the remaining chapters of this volume.