Bose Einstein Condensation and Condensate

By
Aniket Sahu
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Submitted
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of
Master of Science (Physics)

Under the Guidance of

Dr. Ayush Khare
Professor
NIT Raipur

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY RAIPUR

December 2024

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© National Institute of Technology Raipur 2023

All rights reserved.

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Certificate of the Supervisor

This is to certify that this minor dissertation/ thesis entitled "Bose

einstein condensation and condensate’ is a piece of work done by
Aniket Sahu (23299002) under my guidance and supervision for the
degree of Master of Science (Physics) in the Department of Physics,
National Institute of Technology Raipur, Chhattisgarh, INDIA, during
the period 2023-24.

To the best of my knowledge and belief, this thesis embodies the work of
the candidate himself/herself and has duly been completed.

Sign of the Supervisor

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Acknowledgement

First and foremost, I would like to thank my Supervisor Dr Ayush Khare

who guided me in doing this work. He provided me the basic foundation of the

topic and motivated me to move further deep into the subject. His motivation and

help contributed tremendously to the successful completion of this work. Besides,

I would like to thank Director of NIT Raipur, HOD, all the faculty members and

staffs of Department of Physics for giving me this opportunity to carry out my

work in the Laboratory and providing the equipment which I needed.

I would also like to thank my family for support and, encouragement. Also,

I would like to thank my friends for their continuous support, without that support

I couldn’t have succeeded in completing this work. At last, but not in least, I

would like to thank everyone who helped and motivated me to work on this field.

Signed by the candidate

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Abstract

Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) represents a

unique state of matter that emerges at ultracold temperatures
when a group of bosons occupies the same quantum state.
Initially predicted by Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert
Einstein in the 1920s, BEC was experimentally realized in
1995. This project explores the theoretical foundation,
mathematical framework, and physical phenomena of BEC,
including its macroscopic quantum behaviour, superfluidity,
and coherence.
The report provides a detailed derivation
of key formulas, such as the critical temperature equation and
the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, which describe the
macroscopic wavefunction of the condensate. It also discusses
the experimental techniques employed to achieve BEC,
including laser cooling and evaporative cooling. Applications
of BEC in areas like quantum simulation, atom lasers, and
precision measurement are highlighted, demonstrating its
significance in both fundamental research and technological
advancements.
The findings underscore the
importance of BEC in understanding quantum mechanics on a
macroscopic scale, bridging the gap between theoretical
predictions and experimental observations. This study serves
as a comprehensive introduction to BEC and its
transformative impact on modern physics.

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Certificate by the Examiners

Thesis entitled " Bose einstein condensation and condensate "

submitted by Aniket Sahu is hereby recommended for the award of
degree of the Master of Science (Physics) in the Department of Physics
by National institute of Technology Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

Signed by the Examiners

(Chairperson/HOD, PG Coordinator, Supervisor)

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Table of contents

Sl. No Contents Page

1 Certificate of the Supervisor(s) 1
2 Acknowledgement 2
3 Abstract 3
4 Certificate by the Examiners 4
do do do

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List of symbols, figures and Tables with page numbers

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Body of the report

1. Introduction
2. Theoretical background
2.1 Bose Einstein statistics
2.2 condition for BEC
2.3 wave function involved in BEC
3. Processes and Techniques for Achieving Bose-Einstein
Condensation
4. properties of BEC
4.1 quantum coherence
4.2 superfluidity
4.3 vortices and rotating BEC
5. Applications based on BEC
6. Summary

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Introduction

Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs) represent one of the most

remarkable phenomena in quantum physics. Predicted theoretically by
Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein in the 1920s, BECs manifest when a
dilute gas of bosons is cooled to temperatures near absolute zero. At these
extremely low temperatures, individual quantum particles occupy the same
quantum state, leading to macroscopic quantum phenomena.
BECs offer profound insights into quantum mechanics
and have provided a platform for exploring phenomena such as superfluidity,
quantum vortices, and matter-wave interference. Since their experimental
realization in 1995 by Eric Cornell and Carl Wieman using rubidium atoms,
BECs have revolutionized our understanding of condensed matter physics and
opened new frontiers in precision measurement, quantum computing, and
fundamental physics. This state of matter fundamentally challenges our
classical understanding of particle behaviour. In the normal world, particles
behave independently. However, in a BEC, bosons become indistinguishable
and behave collectively, described by a single quantum wavefunction. This
project delves into the theoretical foundations of BEC, the mathematical
framework underlying it, its experimental realization, and its application
The concept of Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs) dates
back to the early 20th century when the foundations of quantum mechanics
were being laid. The BEC phenomenon is rooted in the statistical behaviour of
particles at extremely low temperatures, a groundbreaking idea that emerged
from the collaboration of two brilliant minds: Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert
Einstein. Their theoretical work, which began in the 1920s, provided the first
glimpse of this exotic quantum state of matter.
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Satyendra Nath Bose’s Contribution

In 1924, Indian physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, while working on
problems related to the quantum theory of light, derived a novel way of
counting the states of identical particles. He was investigating the behaviour of
photons (particles of light) and realized that the existing Maxwell-Boltzmann
statistics were inadequate for describing their distribution.
Bose proposed a new statistical method, now known as Bose-
Einstein statistics, which described particles that are indistinguishable and can
occupy the same quantum state. He submitted his paper on this new method,
titled "Planck's Law and the Hypothesis of Light Quanta," to the journal
Philosophical Magazine, but it was rejected. Undeterred, Bose sent the paper
directly to Albert Einstein, who immediately recognized its importance.
Albert Einstein’s Extension
Albert Einstein translated Bose’s paper into German and arranged
for its publication in the prestigious journal Zeitschrift für Physik. More
significantly, Einstein extended Bose's ideas beyond photons to particles with
mass, specifically bosons—particles with integer spin that obey Bose-Einstein
statistics. Einstein predicted that if a system of bosons were cooled to
sufficiently low temperatures, a large fraction of the particles would
"condense" into the lowest quantum energy state. This collective quantum
state, where particles act as a single entity described by a shared
wavefunction, is what we now call the Bose-Einstein Condensate.

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2. Theoretical background:

2.1 Bose Einstein distribution

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2.2 condition for Bose einstein condensation

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2.3 wave function involved in BEC

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Fractional Population in Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC)

The fractional population in Bose-Einstein condensation refers to the division of
particles between the ground state (condensed phase) and excited state at different T

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3. Processes and Techniques for Achieving Bose-Einstein Condensation

1. Laser Cooling
Laser cooling is a technique that uses the interaction between laser light and atoms
to reduce their kinetic energy, effectively lowering their temperature. It is based on the
principles of Doppler cooling and photon recoil.
Process of Laser Cooling
1. Atomic Transitions:
o Atoms absorb photons from a laser beam and then spontaneously re-emit
them.
o The absorbed photon imparts momentum to the atom, slowing it down if the
laser is tuned slightly below the atom's resonant frequency (red-detuned).
2. Doppler Effect:
o The frequency of light appears different to moving atoms due to the Doppler
effect. By tuning the laser frequency slightly below resonance, atoms moving
toward the laser experience a higher relative frequency, making them more
likely to absorb photons and decelerate.
3. Photon Recoil:
o Each absorbed photon exerts a small force on the atom, slowing its motion.
This process is repeated over many photons’ absorption-emission cycles,
reducing the atom's average velocity and kinetic energy

2. Evaporative Cooling
Once the atoms are laser-cooled to temperatures near the Doppler limit,
evaporative cooling is employed to reach even lower temperatures required for BEC.
Process of Evaporative Cooling

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1. Trapping the Atoms:

o Atoms are confined in a magnetic or optical trap, which holds them at low
temperatures.
o The trap creates a potential well, with the coldest atoms near the centre and
the hotter atoms at higher energy levels within the well.
2. Selective Removal of High-Energy Atoms:
o High-energy atoms at the edges of the trap are allowed to escape by lowering
the trap depth.
o As these atoms leave, they carry away a disproportionate amount of energy.
3. Re-Thermalization:
o The remaining atoms redistribute their energy through collisions, reducing
their average kinetic energy further.
o This process cools the system while maintaining thermal equilibrium.
4. Repeating the Process:
o The trap depth is gradually lowered, and the process repeats until the
temperature is low enough for Bose-Einstein condensation to occur.
Role in Reaching Sub-Microkelvin Temperatures
 Evaporative cooling can achieve temperatures below 1 microkelvin.
 It is essential for achieving quantum degeneracy because it bypasses the limitations
of laser cooling.

Challenges and Considerations

1. Atom Loss:
o During evaporative cooling, some atoms are inevitably lost, reducing the
overall atom number.
o Efficient cooling requires optimizing the balance between atom loss and
cooling rate.

2. Vacuum Environment:
o Ultra-high vacuum conditions are necessary to prevent collisions with
background gas molecules, which would add unwanted energy to the system.
3. Trap Design:

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o Magnetic or optical traps must be precisely controlled to ensure effective

confinement and gradual evaporation.

Combining Techniques
To achieve BEC:
1. Laser cooling reduces the temperature to the millikelvin range, preparing the atoms
for further cooling.
2. Evaporative cooling then reduces the temperature to the sub-microkelvin range,
where Bose-Einstein condensation occurs.

4. properties of Bose einstein condensation:

4.1 quantum coherence

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4.2 superfluidity

4.2

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5. Applications based on superconductor

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6. summary
This report provides a comprehensive exploration of Bose-Einstein Condensates
(BECs), an extraordinary state of matter where a large number of bosonic
particles occupy the same quantum ground state at ultra-low temperatures.
BECs are characterized by macroscopic quantum coherence, superfluidity, and
the formation of quantized vortices, making them a vital subject of study in
modern physics. BECs are a cornerstone of modern quantum physics, offering
profound insights into the behaviour of matter under extreme conditions. Their
applications extend from fundamental research to practical technologies, such as
precision sensors, quantum computing, and novel material phases. The study of
BECs continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of quantum
mechanics and its implications for the macroscopic world.

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References

1.Homepage of the Nobel e-Museum (http://www.nobel.se/).

2.BEC Homepage at the University of Colorado (http://www.colorado.edu
/physics/2000/Bec/).
3.Ketterle Group Homepage (http://www.cua.mit/ketterle_group/).
4.The Coolest Gas in the Universe (Scientific American, December 2000, 92-99).
Atom Lasers (Physics World, August 1999, 31-35).
5.http://cua.mit.edu/ketterle_group/Animation_folder/TOFsplit.htm
6.http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/bec/what_it_looks_like.html.
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/bec/lascool4.html.
7.http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/bec/mag_trap.html
Pierre Meystre Atom Optics.

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Brief Bio-data of the student

NAME : Aniket Sahu

FATHERS NAME : Rohit Kumar Sahu

ADDRESS : Shivaji Nagar, professor colony, Raipur CG

MOBILE NO. : 7974656746

EMAIL : [email protected]
Qualification
10th : Shivaji English medium school, Raipur(CG)
89%

12th : holy mother senior secondary school, sunder Nagar

Raipur (CG)
85%

B.Sc. : Govt Nagarjuna PG College ,Raipur(CG)

76%

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