Creation of Erbium-Dysprosium Dipolar Quantum Mixtures and Their Interspecies Feshbach Resonances

@article{DurastantePhD,
  title = {Creation of Erbium-Dysprosium Dipolar Quantum Mixtures and Their Interspecies Feshbach Resonances},
  author = {Durastante, Gianmaria},
  journal = {PhD Thesis},
  year = {2020},
  month = {Nov},
  abstract = {Ultracold quantum gases are a powerful platform for research in the field of quantum simulation
as well as few- and many-body physics. They provide the possibility to precisely
control a wide range of parameters, ensuring the realization of simplified versions of more
complex systems typical of condensed matter, high-energy, and nuclear physics. Among the
great experimental control, they allow for an accurate tuning of the interparticle contact
interactions by means of Feshbach resonances. Since the creation of the first Bose-Einstein
condensate, great progress has been made moving from single-component alkali experiments
to multi-component ones. More recently, aiming to further the complexity and extending
the possibilities of such systems, elements with permanent large magnetic dipole moments
(chromium, dysprosium, and erbium overall) arouse interest due to the long-range and anisotropic
character of the dipole-dipole interactions, paving the way towards the realization
of novel scenarios.
In this panorama, on the basis of the knowledge achieved on the topic, a further step led our
group to the world-first realization of a dipolar quantum gas mixture experiment combining
erbium and dysprosium atoms - two highly magnetic lanthanides. After a designing and
building phase with a duration of about three years, we are now able to compete at the
forefront of the research in the field of ultracold atoms. The initial part of this manuscript
briefly summarizes the development of such state-of-the-art experiment from the review of
erbium and dysprosium properties, to the design of the experimental apparatus, to the
achievement of quantum degeneracy in the two-components sample.
As the main topic of discussion, this thesis reports on the observation of heteronuclear magnetic
Feshbach resonances in dipolar ultracold mixtures of erbium and dysprosium atoms.
We investigated several isotopic combinations including Bose-Bose, Bose-Fermi, and Fermi-
Fermi mixtures. Our research provides accessible experimental tools to control interactions
in dipolar quantum gases of erbium-dysprosium and it will help to understand fundamental
properties of the system such as the scattering dynamics. Furthermore, this work discloses
new possibilities for the investigation of dipolar polarons, miscibility/imiscibility phase diagram,
vortex formation, and binary magnetic quantum droplets. Eventually, it will be possible
to transfer this knowledge into the creation of erbium-dysprosium Feshbach molecules
via magnetoassociation with both electric and magnetic dipole moments.},
  url = {http://www.erbium.at/FF/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Dissertation_Durastante_Gianmaria.pdf},
}