We present a detailed experimental investigation into Bose-Einstein condensates loaded into a one-dimensional optical standing wave at the Bragg condition. The main emphasis of this thesis is the experimental and theoretical investigation into Bragg spectroscopy performed on circularly accelerating Bose-Einstein condensates. The condensate undergoes circular micromotion in a magnetic time-averaged orbiting potential trap and the effect of this motion on the Bragg spectrum is analysed. A simple frequency modulation model is used to interpret the observed complex structure, and broadening effects are considered using numerical solutions to the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. The second part of this thesis is an experimental investigation into the effect of nonlinearity on the non-adiabatic loading of a condensate into a optical lattice at the Brillouin zone boundary. Results of using a phase shifting technique to load a single Bloch band in the presence of strong interactions are presented. We observe a depletion of the condensed component, and we propose possible mechanisms for this result.

The Double-TOP trap is a new type of magnetic trap for neutral atoms, and is suitable for Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) and evaporatively cooled atoms. It combines features from two other magnetic traps, the Time-averaged Orbiting Potential (TOP) and Ioffe-Pritchard traps, so that a potential barrier can be raised in an otherwise parabolic potential. The cigar-like cloud of atoms (in the single-well configuration) is divided halfway along its length when the barrier is lifted. A theoretical model of the trap is presented. The double-well is characterised by the barrier height and well separation, which are weakly coupled. The accessible parameter space is found by considering experimental limits such as noise, yielding well separations from 230 [mu]m up to several millimetres, and barrier heights from 65 pK to 28 [mu]K (where the energies are scaled by Boltzmann�s constant). Potential experiments for Bose-Einstein condensates in this trap are considered. A Double-TOP trap has been constructed using the 3-coil style of Ioffe-Pritchard trap. Details of the design, construction and current control for these coils are given. Experiments on splitting thermal clouds were carried out, which revealed a tilt in the potential. Two independent BECs were simultaneously created by applying evaporative cooling to a divided thermal cloud. The Double-TOP trap is used to form a linear collider, allowing direct imaging of the interference between the s and d partial waves. By jumping from a double to single-well trap configuration, two ultra-cold clouds are launched towards a collision at the trap bottom. The available collision energies are centred on a d-wave shape resonance so that interference between the s and d partial waves is pronounced. Absorption imaging allows complete scattering information to be collected, and the images show a striking change in the angular distribution of atoms post-collision. The results are compared to a theoretical model, verifying that the technique is a useful new way to study cold collisions.

Not available / text

The Double-TOP trap is a new type of magnetic trap for neutral atoms, and is suitable for Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) and evaporatively cooled atoms. It combines features from two other magnetic traps, the Time-averaged Orbiting Potential (TOP) and Ioffe-Pritchard traps, so that a potential barrier can be raised in an otherwise parabolic potential. The cigar-like cloud of atoms (in the single-well configuration) is divided halfway along its length when the barrier is lifted. A theoretical model of the trap is presented. The double-well is characterised by the barrier height and well separation, which are weakly coupled. The accessible parameter space is found by considering experimental limits such as noise, yielding well separations from 230 [mu]m up to several millimetres, and barrier heights from 65 pK to 28 [mu]K (where the energies are scaled by Boltzmann�s constant). Potential experiments for Bose-Einstein condensates in this trap are considered. A Double-TOP trap has been constructed using the 3-coil style of Ioffe-Pritchard trap. Details of the design, construction and current control for these coils are given. Experiments on splitting thermal clouds were carried out, which revealed a tilt in the potential. Two independent BECs were simultaneously created by applying evaporative cooling to a divided thermal cloud. The Double-TOP trap is used to form a linear collider, allowing direct imaging of the interference between the s and d partial waves. By jumping from a double to single-well trap configuration, two ultra-cold clouds are launched towards a collision at the trap bottom. The available collision energies are centred on a d-wave shape resonance so that interference between the s and d partial waves is pronounced. Absorption imaging allows complete scattering information to be collected, and the images show a striking change in the angular distribution of atoms post-collision. The results are compared to a theoretical model, verifying that the technique is a useful new way to study cold collisions.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2004. / Supervisor: Mark G. Raizen. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available from UMI.

Radioactive decay of nuclei via emission of ??-particles is studied using three different theoretical approaches, viz: the quasi-bound state wavefunction approach (QSWA), the superasymmetric ??ssion model (SAFM) and the semiclassical approximation (QCA). The half-lives of the radioactive nuclei, calculated using these methods, are compared with each other and with available experimental data. The resonance wavefunction is obtained by numerically integrating the Schrödinger equation with outgoing boundary conditions. The sensitivity of the calculated decay widths to two particular parameter sets of the Woods-Saxon (WS) optical potentials are studied. Double folding (DF) model calculations to obtain the bare ??-nucleus potential have been carried out with the Reid M3Y effective nucleon-nucleon (NN) interactions. The exchange part of the interaction was taken to be of zero-range pseudo-potential and the density dependence of the NN interaction is accounted for. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated using both even-even and odd-mass spherical nuclei. / Physics / MSC (PHYSICS)

Radioactive decay of nuclei via emission of ??-particles is studied using three different theoretical approaches, viz: the quasi-bound state wavefunction approach (QSWA), the superasymmetric ??ssion model (SAFM) and the semiclassical approximation (QCA). The half-lives of the radioactive nuclei, calculated using these methods, are compared with each other and with available experimental data. The resonance wavefunction is obtained by numerically integrating the Schrödinger equation with outgoing boundary conditions. The sensitivity of the calculated decay widths to two particular parameter sets of the Woods-Saxon (WS) optical potentials are studied. Double folding (DF) model calculations to obtain the bare ??-nucleus potential have been carried out with the Reid M3Y effective nucleon-nucleon (NN) interactions. The exchange part of the interaction was taken to be of zero-range pseudo-potential and the density dependence of the NN interaction is accounted for. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated using both even-even and odd-mass spherical nuclei. / Physics / MSC (PHYSICS)