Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) are systems of atoms at near absolute zero that exhibit quantum behavior. Consequently, BECs exist in a state of extremely low kinetic and heat energy. Any extra energy added to the system can destroy the BEC. As such, moving BECs quickly is a significant problem for experiments in quantum labs and applications in quantum computing. In our simulations, we achieve fast quantum control of a trapped BEC using new quantum protocols called shortcuts-to-adiabaticity (STA). These protocols allow the BEC to move quickly while minimizing kinetic and heat energy added to the system. These protocols have use in areas such as interferometry where we can compare certain aspects of the BECs and gain insight on energy differences that may have occurred during transport. Our project aims to examine the effects of these STA protocols on the BEC system as well as the energy measured in a 2D BEC interferometer. Thus far, we’ve simulated and explored trends and effects related to the depth of the potential trap the BECs are created and transported in and the length of the transport time. We’ve also done some rudimentary interferometer simulations to observe whether the transported BECs behave similarly to BECs that weren’t transported. We’ve seen rather reliable success using STA protocols in addition to deeper trap depths, allowing us to reliably transport BECs 30 microns in about 20ms or more. Our interferometry results are inconclusive as of right now – the results with transport are comparable to those without transport, but we have collected other strange results that we are still attempting to understand. Future work in the lab includes 3D BEC simulations and further interferometry simulations. Hopefully, the results from these simulations can be used as a baseline for physical BEC experiments later.
Authors: Skyler Wright, Chris Larson
Faculty Advisor: Edward Carlo Samson, Physics
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