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Charles Sackett

Bio: Charles Sackett is an academic researcher from University of Virginia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Atom interferometer & Bose–Einstein condensate. The author has an hindex of 30, co-authored 97 publications receiving 9728 citations. Previous affiliations of Charles Sackett include Rice University & National Institute of Standards and Technology.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence for Bose-Einstein condensation of a gas of spin-polarized {sup 7}Li atoms is reported, and phase-space densities consistent with quantum degeneracy are measured for temperatures in the range of 100 to 400 nK.
Abstract: Evidence for Bose-Einstein condensation of a gas of spin-polarized ${}^{7}$Li atoms is reported. Atoms confined to a permanent-magnet trap are laser cooled to 200 \ensuremath{\mu}K and are then evaporatively cooled to lower temperatures. Phase-space densities consistent with quantum degeneracy are measured for temperatures in the range of 100 to 400 nK. At these high phase-space densities, diffraction of a probe laser beam is observed. Modeling shows that this diffraction is a sensitive indicator of the presence of a spatially localized condensate. Although measurements of the number of condensate atoms have not been performed, the measured phase-space densities are consistent with a majority of the atoms being in the condensate, for total trap numbers as high as $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}$ atoms. For ${}^{7}$Li, the spin-triplet $s$-wave scattering length is known to be negative, corresponding to an attractive interatomic interaction. Previously, Bose-Einstein condensation was predicted not to occur in such a system.

2,639 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
16 Mar 2000-Nature
TL;DR: This work implements a recently proposed entanglement technique to generate entangled states of two and four trapped ions using a single laser pulse, and the method can in principle be applied to any number of ions.
Abstract: Quantum mechanics allows for many-particle wavefunctions that cannot be factorized into a product of single-particle wavefunctions, even when the constituent particles are entirely distinct. Such 'entangled' states explicitly demonstrate the non-local character of quantum theory, having potential applications in high-precision spectroscopy, quantum communication, cryptography and computation. In general, the more particles that can be entangled, the more clearly nonclassical effects are exhibited--and the more useful the states are for quantum applications. Here we implement a recently proposed entanglement technique to generate entangled states of two and four trapped ions. Coupling between the ions is provided through their collective motional degrees of freedom, but actual motional excitation is minimized. Entanglement is achieved using a single laser pulse, and the method can in principle be applied to any number of ions.

1,211 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
15 Feb 2001-Nature
TL;DR: Here, correlations in the classical properties of massive entangled particles (9Be+ ions): these correlations violate a form of Bell's inequality, and the high detection efficiency of the apparatus eliminates the so-called ‘detection’ loophole.
Abstract: Local realism is the idea that objects have definite properties whether or not they are measured, and that measurements of these properties are not affected by events taking place sufficiently far away1. Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen2 used these reasonable assumptions to conclude that quantum mechanics is incomplete. Starting in 1965, Bell and others constructed mathematical inequalities whereby experimental tests could distinguish between quantum mechanics and local realistic theories1,3,4,5. Many experiments1,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 have since been done that are consistent with quantum mechanics and inconsistent with local realism. But these conclusions remain the subject of considerable interest and debate, and experiments are still being refined to overcome ‘loopholes’ that might allow a local realistic interpretation. Here we have measured correlations in the classical properties of massive entangled particles (9Be+ ions): these correlations violate a form of Bell's inequality. Our measured value of the appropriate Bell's ‘signal’ is 2.25 ± 0.03, whereas a value of 2 is the maximum allowed by local realistic theories of nature. In contrast to previous measurements with massive particles, this violation of Bell's inequality was obtained by use of a complete set of measurements. Moreover, the high detection efficiency of our apparatus eliminates the so-called ‘detection’ loophole.

965 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Bose-Einstein condensation of a magnetically trapped gas was studied and the occupation number of the condensate was shown to be limited to a maximum value between 650 and 1300 atoms.
Abstract: Bose-Einstein condensation of ${}^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ has been studied in a magnetically trapped gas. Because of the effectively attractive interactions between ${}^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms, many-body quantum theory predicts that the occupation number of the condensate is limited to about 1400 atoms. We observe the condensate number to be limited to a maximum value between 650 and 1300 atoms. The measurements were made using a versatile phase-contrast imaging technique.

951 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
20 Jan 2000-Nature
TL;DR: Decoherence is induced by coupling the atom to engineered reservoirs, in which the coupling and state of the environment are controllable, and the decoherence rate scales with the square of a quantity describing the amplitude of the superposition state.
Abstract: The theory of quantum mechanics applies to closed systems. In such ideal situations, a single atom can, for example, exist simultaneously in a superposition of two different spatial locations. In contrast, real systems always interact with their environment, with the consequence that macroscopic quantum superpositions (as illustrated by the 'Schrodinger's cat' thought-experiment) are not observed. Moreover, macroscopic superpositions decay so quickly that even the dynamics of decoherence cannot be observed. However, mesoscopic systems offer the possibility of observing the decoherence of such quantum superpositions. Here we present measurements of the decoherence of superposed motional states of a single trapped atom. Decoherence is induced by coupling the atom to engineered reservoirs, in which the coupling and state of the environment are controllable. We perform three experiments, finding that the decoherence rate scales with the square of a quantity describing the amplitude of the superposition state.

603 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the basic aspects of entanglement including its characterization, detection, distillation, and quantification are discussed, and a basic role of entonglement in quantum communication within distant labs paradigm is discussed.
Abstract: All our former experience with application of quantum theory seems to say: {\it what is predicted by quantum formalism must occur in laboratory} But the essence of quantum formalism - entanglement, recognized by Einstein, Podolsky, Rosen and Schr\"odinger - waited over 70 years to enter to laboratories as a new resource as real as energy This holistic property of compound quantum systems, which involves nonclassical correlations between subsystems, is a potential for many quantum processes, including ``canonical'' ones: quantum cryptography, quantum teleportation and dense coding However, it appeared that this new resource is very complex and difficult to detect Being usually fragile to environment, it is robust against conceptual and mathematical tools, the task of which is to decipher its rich structure This article reviews basic aspects of entanglement including its characterization, detection, distillation and quantifying In particular, the authors discuss various manifestations of entanglement via Bell inequalities, entropic inequalities, entanglement witnesses, quantum cryptography and point out some interrelations They also discuss a basic role of entanglement in quantum communication within distant labs paradigm and stress some peculiarities such as irreversibility of entanglement manipulations including its extremal form - bound entanglement phenomenon A basic role of entanglement witnesses in detection of entanglement is emphasized

6,980 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of recent experimental and theoretical progress concerning many-body phenomena in dilute, ultracold gases is presented, focusing on effects beyond standard weakcoupling descriptions, such as the Mott-Hubbard transition in optical lattices, strongly interacting gases in one and two dimensions, or lowest-Landau-level physics in quasi-two-dimensional gases in fast rotation.
Abstract: This paper reviews recent experimental and theoretical progress concerning many-body phenomena in dilute, ultracold gases. It focuses on effects beyond standard weak-coupling descriptions, such as the Mott-Hubbard transition in optical lattices, strongly interacting gases in one and two dimensions, or lowest-Landau-level physics in quasi-two-dimensional gases in fast rotation. Strong correlations in fermionic gases are discussed in optical lattices or near-Feshbach resonances in the BCS-BEC crossover.

6,601 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
14 Jul 1995-Science
TL;DR: A Bose-Einstein condensate was produced in a vapor of rubidium-87 atoms that was confined by magnetic fields and evaporatively cooled and exhibited a nonthermal, anisotropic velocity distribution expected of the minimum-energy quantum state of the magnetic trap in contrast to the isotropic, thermal velocity distribution observed in the broad uncondensed fraction.
Abstract: A Bose-Einstein condensate was produced in a vapor of rubidium-87 atoms that was confined by magnetic fields and evaporatively cooled. The condensate fraction first appeared near a temperature of 170 nanokelvin and a number density of 2.5 x 10 12 per cubic centimeter and could be preserved for more than 15 seconds. Three primary signatures of Bose-Einstein condensation were seen. (i) On top of a broad thermal velocity distribution, a narrow peak appeared that was centered at zero velocity. (ii) The fraction of the atoms that were in this low-velocity peak increased abruptly as the sample temperature was lowered. (iii) The peak exhibited a nonthermal, anisotropic velocity distribution expected of the minimum-energy quantum state of the magnetic trap in contrast to the isotropic, thermal velocity distribution observed in the broad uncondensed fraction.

6,074 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the Bose-Einstein condensation of dilute gases in traps from a theoretical perspective and provided a framework to understand the main features of the condensation and role of interactions between particles.
Abstract: The phenomenon of Bose-Einstein condensation of dilute gases in traps is reviewed from a theoretical perspective. Mean-field theory provides a framework to understand the main features of the condensation and the role of interactions between particles. Various properties of these systems are discussed, including the density profiles and the energy of the ground-state configurations, the collective oscillations and the dynamics of the expansion, the condensate fraction and the thermodynamic functions. The thermodynamic limit exhibits a scaling behavior in the relevant length and energy scales. Despite the dilute nature of the gases, interactions profoundly modify the static as well as the dynamic properties of the system; the predictions of mean-field theory are in excellent agreement with available experimental results. Effects of superfluidity including the existence of quantized vortices and the reduction of the moment of inertia are discussed, as well as the consequences of coherence such as the Josephson effect and interference phenomena. The review also assesses the accuracy and limitations of the mean-field approach.

4,782 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
15 Feb 2001-Nature
TL;DR: A structural polymeric material with the ability to autonomically heal cracks is reported, which incorporates a microencapsulated healing agent that is released upon crack intrusion and polymerization of the healing agent is triggered by contact with an embedded catalyst, bonding the crack faces.
Abstract: Structural polymers are susceptible to damage in the form of cracks, which form deep within the structure where detection is difficult and repair is almost impossible. Cracking leads to mechanical degradation of fibre-reinforced polymer composites; in microelectronic polymeric components it can also lead to electrical failure. Microcracking induced by thermal and mechanical fatigue is also a long-standing problem in polymer adhesives. Regardless of the application, once cracks have formed within polymeric materials, the integrity of the structure is significantly compromised. Experiments exploring the concept of self-repair have been previously reported, but the only successful crack-healing methods that have been reported so far require some form of manual intervention. Here we report a structural polymeric material with the ability to autonomically heal cracks. The material incorporates a microencapsulated healing agent that is released upon crack intrusion. Polymerization of the healing agent is then triggered by contact with an embedded catalyst, bonding the crack faces. Our fracture experiments yield as much as 75% recovery in toughness, and we expect that our approach will be applicable to other brittle materials systems (including ceramics and glasses).

3,786 citations