Apparatus for quantum-mixture research in microgravity
Abstract
Experiments with ultracold quantum gases are a rapidly advancing research field with many applications in fundamental physics and quantum technology. Here, we report on a high-flux generation of Bose-Einstein condensate mixtures of
41K and
87Rb, using a fully integrated sounding rocket setup. We compare the release and the free expansion of the quantum mixtures obtained with the apparatus placed on ground or in free fall in an Einstein-Elevator. The release dynamics are governed by the intra- and interspecies interactions as well as the decaying magnetic field during the release. The latter can be minimized by a dedicated switch-off protocol of the trap generating currents where an exact model enabled us to characterize the interaction effects. Our results establish a new benchmark for generating ultracold mixtures on mobile platforms, with direct relevance for future experiments on interacting quantum gases and tests of the equivalence principle in space.
Details
- Organisation(s)
-
Institute of Quantum Optics
Quantum Sensing
Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Engineering
Production in Space
QUEST-Leibniz Research School
QuantumFrontiers
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines
- External Organisation(s)
-
Observatoire de Paris (OBSPARIS)
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin)
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
University of Bremen
Universität Hamburg
Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH)
Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)
- Type
- Article
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Volume
- 17
- ISSN
- 2041-1723
- Publication date
- 28.07.2026
- Publication status
- Published
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry, General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology, General, General Physics and Astronomy
- Electronic version(s)
-
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75968-9 (Access:
Open
)
