Research in the field of atomtronics aims to develop a new paradigm for the use of ultracold\ atomic systems in a manner that mimics the functionality of electronic circuits and\ devices. Given the ubiquity of the electronic transistor and its application to a vast array of\ signal processing tasks, the development of its atomtronic counterpart is of signicant interest.\ This dissertation presents the experimental studies of two atomtronic circuit elements: a\ battery and transistor. Experiments are conducted in an atom-chip-based apparatus utilizing\ hybrid magnetic and optical trapping techniques that enable one to "pattern" atomtronic\ circuit elements. An atomtronic battery is realized in a double-well trapping potential in\ which a finite-temperature Bose-Einstein condensate is prepared in a non-equilibrium state\ to generate thermodynamic gradients that drive atom current \ flow. Powered by the atomtronic\ battery, a triple-well atomtronic transistor is demonstrated, and quasi-steady-state\ behavior of the device is characterized. Results are found to be in agreement with a semiclassical\ model of the transistor that is also used to study the active properties of the device,\ including current gain. Based on these results, future directions regarding signal processing\ operations are proposed.
CY - Boulder, CO DA - 04-2016 N2 -Research in the field of atomtronics aims to develop a new paradigm for the use of ultracold\ atomic systems in a manner that mimics the functionality of electronic circuits and\ devices. Given the ubiquity of the electronic transistor and its application to a vast array of\ signal processing tasks, the development of its atomtronic counterpart is of signicant interest.\ This dissertation presents the experimental studies of two atomtronic circuit elements: a\ battery and transistor. Experiments are conducted in an atom-chip-based apparatus utilizing\ hybrid magnetic and optical trapping techniques that enable one to "pattern" atomtronic\ circuit elements. An atomtronic battery is realized in a double-well trapping potential in\ which a finite-temperature Bose-Einstein condensate is prepared in a non-equilibrium state\ to generate thermodynamic gradients that drive atom current \ flow. Powered by the atomtronic\ battery, a triple-well atomtronic transistor is demonstrated, and quasi-steady-state\ behavior of the device is characterized. Results are found to be in agreement with a semiclassical\ model of the transistor that is also used to study the active properties of the device,\ including current gain. Based on these results, future directions regarding signal processing\ operations are proposed.
PB - University of Colorado Boulder PP - Boulder, CO PY - 2016 EP - 166 TI - Experimental realization of atomtronic circuit elements in non-equilibrium ultracold atomic systems VL - Ph.D. ER -