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Transport of a Single Cold Ion Immersed in a Bose-Einstein Condensate

T. Dieterle, M. Berngruber, C. Hölzl, R. Löw, K. Jachymski, T. Pfau, and F. Meinert
Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 033401 – Published 19 January 2021
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Abstract

We investigate transport dynamics of a single low-energy ionic impurity in a Bose-Einstein condensate. The impurity is implanted into the condensate starting from a single Rydberg excitation, which is ionized by a sequence of fast electric field pulses aiming to minimize the ion’s initial kinetic energy. Using a small electric bias field, we study the subsequent collisional dynamics of the impurity subject to an external force. The fast ion-atom collision rate, stemming from the dense degenerate host gas and the large ion-atom scattering cross section, allow us to study a regime of frequent collisions of the impurity within only tens of microseconds. Comparison of our measurements with stochastic trajectory simulations based on sequential Langevin collisions indicate diffusive transport properties of the impurity and allows us to measure its mobility. Our results open a novel path to study dynamics of charged quantum impurities in ultracold matter.

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  • Received 1 July 2020
  • Accepted 12 November 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.033401

© 2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

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Tracking a Single Ion in an Ultracold Gas

Published 19 January 2021

Direct observation of an ion moving through a Bose-Einstein condensate identifies the effect of ion-atom collisions on charge transport in an ultracold gas.

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Authors & Affiliations

T. Dieterle1, M. Berngruber1, C. Hölzl1, R. Löw1, K. Jachymski2, T. Pfau1, and F. Meinert1

  • 15. Physikalisches Institut and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
  • 2Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland

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Issue

Vol. 126, Iss. 3 — 22 January 2021

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