The space atom laser: An isotropic source for ultra-cold atoms in microgravity

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates a space atom laser that produces an isotropic, spherical wave of ultra-cold atoms in microgravity, offering new opportunities for matter-wave experiments in space.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical model of a space atom laser with isotropic emission, suitable for microgravity environments like the ISS.

Findings

The space atom laser produces a spherical, isotropic matter wave.

The model demonstrates isotropic output even from anisotropic traps.

This work supports future experimental realization on the ISS.

Abstract

Atom laser experiments with Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) performed in ground-based laboratories feature a coherent and directed beam of atoms which is accelerated by gravity. In microgravity the situation is fundamentally different because the dynamics is entirely determined by the repulsive interaction between the atoms and not by the gravitational force. As a result, the output of a space atom laser is a spherical wave slowly expanding away from the initial BEC.We present a thorough theoretical study of this new source of matter waves based on rf outcoupling which exhibits an isotropic distribution both in position and momentum even for an initially anisotropic trap. The unique geometry of such a freely expanding, shell-shaped BEC offers new possibilities for matter waves in microgravity and is complementary to other matter-wave sources prepared by delta-kick collimation or adiabatic expansion. Our work paves the way for the upcoming experimental realization of a space atom laser making use of NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory on the International Space Station.