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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Experimental Methods for Trapping Ions Using Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps
Published on: August 17, 2017
Enhanced and reduced atom number fluctuations in a BEC splitter
Kenneth Maussang1, G Edward Marti, Tobias Schneider
1Laboratoire Kastler-Brossel, ENS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, CNRS, 24 rue Lhomond, 75 231 Paris Cedex 05, France.
We measured atom number fluctuations in ultracold 87Rb atoms. Below the Bose-Einstein condensation critical temperature, quantum statistics caused fluctuations below the shot noise level.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Atomic physics
- Bose-Einstein condensation
Background:
- Ultracold atoms in magnetic traps exhibit quantum phenomena.
- Atom number statistics reveal underlying quantum behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure atom number statistics in ultracold 87Rb atoms.
- To investigate quantum statistics effects in a magnetic double-well potential.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a purely magnetic double-well potential on an atom chip.
- Measured atom number statistics of ultracold 87Rb atoms.
- Employed two-mode and classical field simulations for analysis.
Main Results:
- Observed fluctuations down to -4.9 dB below atom shot noise below the critical temperature (Tc).
- Fluctuations increased to +3.8 dB near Tc.
- Confirmed supershot noise fluctuations originate from quantum statistics.
Conclusions:
- Quantum statistics significantly influence atom number fluctuations in ultracold gases.
- The magnetic double-well potential provides a platform for studying quantum phenomena.
- Experimental results align with theoretical simulations.
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