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Quantum phase transition in an antiferromagnetic spinor Bose-Einstein condensate
E M Bookjans1, A Vinit, C Raman
1School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|December 21, 2011
Summary
We observed how a sodium Bose-Einstein condensate transitions to an antiferromagnetic state. The condensate evolved into a mixed state with coarsening dynamics after a rapid quantum phase transition.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Atomic physics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are quantum states of matter with unique properties.
- Quantum phase transitions (QPTs) involve abrupt changes in a system's ground state at absolute zero.
- Antiferromagnetic materials exhibit opposing magnetic moments in adjacent atoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the dynamics of a sodium Bose-Einstein condensate undergoing a quantum phase transition.
- To observe the system's behavior when quenched from a polar to an antiferromagnetic phase.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an off-resonant microwave field to couple atomic hyperfine levels (F=1 and F=2).
- Rapidly switched the quadratic energy shift (q) from positive to negative values.
- Measured the dynamical evolution of the population in the F=1, mF=0 state near the transition point (q=0).
Main Results:
- Observed a transition from a polar to an antiferromagnetic phase at q=0.
- Detected a mixed state comprising all three hyperfine components for q < 0.
- Witnessed coarsening dynamics where initial small domains grew to the cloud's axial size.
Conclusions:
- The study provides experimental insights into the dynamics of QPTs in antiferromagnetic Bose-Einstein condensates.
- The observed mixed state and coarsening dynamics are characteristic of the system's behavior in the antiferromagnetic phase.
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