Decoherence of spin oscillations in an ultracold F = 1 sodium gas
Abstract
An ultracold F = 1 sodium gas prepared in a superposition of the m = +1, 0, -1 magnetic sublevels displays nonlinear spin dynamics. The dynamics are driven by coherent spin mixing collisions, where a pair of m = 0 atoms is converted into a pair with m = +1 and m = -1. In the noncondensed thermal gas, we find that the resulting population oscillations decay over several hundred milliseconds. We present measurements of the decay time as a function of applied magnetic field and initial state, and discuss possible causes of the decay.
- Publication:
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APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013APS..DMP.D1079S