Ultra-cold Atoms and BEC in a 1D Quasi-Electrostatic Optical Lattice : Basic concepts, Methods and Experiments

Ultra-cold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensate(BEC) in optical lattices is an ideal test-bed for fundamental models of condensed matter Physics. Experiments with cold atoms and BEC are quite challenging and requires the knowledge of a wide variety of experimental methods and techniques. In this book, the basic concepts of laser cooling and Bose-Einstein condensation are discussed along with a description of the experimental apparatus and methods. A source of cold atomic beam with high flux is described as a favourable starting point for a BEC experiment with high initial number of atoms. The theoretical basics of optical dipole trapping in harmonic traps and optical lattices are described along with the experimental techniques for efficient loading into a dipole trap and optical lattice. All-optical Bose-Einstein condensation in optical dipole trap and a 1D optical lattice is described followed by the study of mean-field dynamics in an array of micro-condensates produced in the 1D optical lattice. This book would provide a basic intoduction to laser-cooling and all-optical BEC experiments to newcomers in the field as well as a handy reference book for the experienced researchers.