Bose-Einstein Condensates in Space

Photo: UHH, RRZ/MCC, Mentz

Left to right: Dr. Ortwin Hellmig, Prof. Dr. Klaus Sengstock

Summary

In this project we want to study quantum matter at the lowest temperatures in the universe and on much longer time scales than these possible in earth-bound experiments. Thus space is an ideal place to study as precisely as possible cold quantum matter as no gravitation disturbs the measurements.

In 2004 the QUANTUS-collaboration (QUANTengase Unter Schwerelosigkeit) was started with fundings of the DLR. Within this germanwide project we developed an experimental setup suitable for the operation at the drop tower at ZARM, Bremen.
This opened up new possibilities of BEC observations at low temperatures and low densities at time scales much larger than possible in earth-based laboratory experiments.
The robust innovative technological development in this project will also have strong influences on future cold quantum gas technologies in our group and other labs.