Measurement of the Casimir-Polder force through center-of-mass oscillations of a Bose-Einstein condensate
Abstract
We have performed a measurement of the Casimir-Polder force using a magnetically trapped 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensate. By detecting perturbations of the frequency of center-of-mass oscillations of the condensate perpendicular to the surface, we are able to detect this force at a distance ∼5 μm , significantly farther than has been previously achieved, and at a precision approaching that needed to detect the modification due to thermal radiation. Additionally, this technique provides a limit for the presence of non-Newtonian gravity forces in the ∼1 μm range.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- September 2005
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/0506208
- Bibcode:
- 2005PhRvA..72c3610H
- Keywords:
-
- 03.75.Kk;
- 34.50.Dy;
- 31.30.Jv;
- 04.80.Cc;
- Dynamic properties of condensates;
- collective and hydrodynamic excitations superfluid flow;
- Interactions of atoms and molecules with surfaces;
- photon and electron emission;
- neutralization of ions;
- Relativistic and quantum electrodynamic effects in atoms and molecules;
- Experimental tests of gravitational theories;
- Other;
- High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;
- Quantum Physics
- E-Print:
- 7 pages, 3 figures, published in Phys. Rev. A