Abstract

The physics of spinor condensates, i.e. Bose-Einstein condensates with spin degree of freedom, has become the central topic of a rising number of experiments and theoretical investigations. Following the pioneering experiments on F=l ²³Na spinor condensates at MIT, further milestones included the realization of ⁸⁷Rb spinor condensates at Hamburg and Georgiatech, allowing first studies on spinor ground states and spin dynamics an F=2 system [1], the observation of coherent spin dynamics, spinor control by magnetic fields and spontaneous domain formation. Furthermore Rabi-oscillation like spin dynamics has been realized in an ⁸⁷Rb Mott insulator system in a deep optical lattice at Mainz, allowing precision measurements on the interparticle interactions. Both limits of harmonically trapped spinor condensates and atom pairs in single lattice well with spin degree of freedom are nowadays well understood in terms of their magnetic properties, which can be well controlled in experiment. Interesting new questions arise in the lattice system for finite tunnelling in various geometries, giving rise to new magnetic phases and enhancing fragmentation as well as dipolar effects, which might be directly compared to its solid-state counterpart.

© 2007 IEEE