Apr 13, 2007

Resonant Einstein–de Haas Effect in a Rubidium Condensate

Krzysztof Gawryluk, Miroslaw Brewczyk, Kai Bongs, and Mariusz Gajda

We theoretically consider a spin polarized, optically trapped condensate of 87Rb atoms in F=1. We observe a transfer of atoms to other Zeeman states due to the dipolar interaction which couples the spin and the orbital degrees of freedom. Therefore the transferred atoms acquire an orbital angular momentum. This is a realization of the Einstein–de Haas effect in systems of cold gases. We find resonances which make this phenomenon observable even in very weak dipolar systems, when the Zeeman energy difference on transfer is fully converted to rotational kinetic energy.

Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 130401 (2007)