The current theme of our experiments is to create systems analogous to solids in condensed matter systems by using ultracold atoms in optical lattices. The hope is that this approach to studying model Hamiltonians which describe condensed matter systems will provide an alternative route to the design and testing of new materials useful to society. For a short, informative big-picture view of how new materials are synthesized, studied, and brought to market, see this article. We work with rubidium Bose-Einstein condensates. A new BEC machine using lithium-7 is currently under construction. More to follow soon... |