ABSTRACT
We report on a compact, ultrahigh-vacuum compatible optical assembly to create large-scale, two-dimensional optical lattices for use in experiments with ultracold atoms. The assembly consists of an octagon-shaped spacer made from ultra-low-expansion glass, to which we optically contact four fused silica cavity mirrors, making it highly mechanically and thermally stable. The mirror surfaces are nearly plane-parallel, which allows us to create two perpendicular cavity modes with diameters â¼1m m. Such large mode diameters are desirable to increase the optical lattice homogeneity, but lead to strong angular sensitivities of the coplanarity between the two cavity modes. We demonstrate a procedure to precisely position each mirror substrate that achieves a deviation from coplanarity of d=1(5)µm. Creating large optical lattices at arbitrary visible and near-infrared wavelengths requires significant power enhancements to overcome limitations in the available laser power. The cavity mirrors have a customized low-loss mirror coating that enhances the power at a set of relevant visible and near-infrared wavelengths by up to 3 orders of magnitude..
ABSTRACT
The nonlinear Schrödinger equation, used to describe the dynamics of quantum fluids, is known to be valid not only for massive particles but also for the propagation of light in a nonlinear medium, predicting condensation of classical waves. Here we report on the initial evolution of random waves with Gaussian statistics using atomic vapors as an efficient two dimensional nonlinear medium. Experimental and theoretical analysis of near field images reveal a phenomenon of nonequilibrium precondensation, characterized by a fast relaxation towards a precondensate fraction of up to 75%. Such precondensation is in contrast to complete thermalization to the Rayleigh-Jeans equilibrium distribution, requiring prohibitive long interaction lengths.
