BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:Data::ICal 0.22 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Nathan Lundblad\, Bates College\n\n
\n Notions of geometry\, topology\, and dimensionality have directed the historical development of quantum-gas physics\, as has a relentless search for longer-lived matter-w ave coherence and lower absolute temperature. With a toolbox of forces for confinement\, guiding\, and excitation\, physicists have used quantum gas es to test fundamental ideas in quantum theory\, statistical mechanics\, a nd in recent years notions of strongly-correlated many-body physics from t he \;condensed-matter world. \; Some of this work has been hampere d by terrestrial gravity\; levitation schemes of varying degree of sophist ication are available\, as are atomic-fountain and drop-tower microgravity facilities\, but the long-term free-fall environment of low-Earth orbit r emains a tantalizing location for quantum-gas experiments.
\n\n I wi ll review a planned NASA microgravity program set to launch to the Interna tional Space Station in 2016. One set of experiments will explore a trappi ng geometry for quantum gases that is both theoretically compelling and di fficult to attain terrestrially: that of a spherical or ellipsoidal shell. This trap could confine a Bose-Einstein condensate to the surface of an e xperimentally-controlled &ldquo\;bubble.&rdquo\; Other experiments will fo cus on atom interferometry and few-body physics. I will also review recent terrestrial work tailoring periodic geometries for BEC toward interesting solid-state analogues.
\n DTSTART:20150227T203000Z LOCATION:Physics Building\, Room 204 SUMMARY:Quantum-gas physics in orbit: prospects for microgravity Bose-Einst ein condensates aboard NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR