Long-range gravitational-like interaction in a neutral atomic cold gas

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a laboratory system of cold atoms exhibiting long-range gravitational-like attraction, evidenced by density profiles, size dependence on atom number, and oscillation behaviors.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental realization of a gravitational-like interaction in a neutral atomic gas using laser-induced forces.

Findings

Experimental evidence of gravitational-like attraction in cold Strontium gas

Observation of density profile and size scaling with atom number

Detection of breathing oscillations indicating collective dynamics

Abstract

A quasi-resonant laser induces a long-range attractive force within a cloud of cold atoms. We take advantage of this force to build in the laboratory a system of particles with a one-dimensional gravitational-like interaction, at a fluid level of modeling. We give experimental evidences of such an interaction in a cold Strontium gas, studying the density profile of the cloud, its size as a function of the number of atoms, and its breathing oscillations.