Making an ultracold gas

Abstract

We provide an introduction to the experimental physics of quantum gases. At the low densities of ultracold quantum gases, confinement can be understood from single-particle physics, and interactions can be understood from two-body physics. The structure of atoms provides resonances both in the optical domain and in the radio-frequency domain. Atomic structure data is given for the 27 atomic isotopes that had been brought to quantum degeneracy at the time this chapter was written. We discuss the motivations behind choosing among these species. We review how static and oscillatory fields are treated mathematically. An electric dipole moment can be induced in a neutral atom, and is the basis for optical manipulation as well as short-range interactions. Many atoms have permanent magnetic dipole moments, which can be used for trapping or long-range interactions. The Toronto $^{40}$K/$^{87}$Rb lattice experiment provides an illustration of how these tools are combined to create an ultracold, quantum-degenerate gas.