Abstract
Bose-Einstein condensates of sodium atoms have been confined in an optical dipole trap using a single focused infrared laser beam. This eliminates the restrictions of magnetic traps for further studies of atom lasers and Bose-Einstein condensates. More than condensed atoms were transferred into the optical trap. Densities of up to of Bose condensed atoms were obtained, allowing for a measurement of the three-body loss rate constant for sodium condensates as . At lower densities, the observed lifetime was longer than 10 s. Simultaneous confinement of Bose-Einstein condensates in several hyperfine states was demonstrated.
- Received 7 November 1997
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.80.2027
©1998 American Physical Society