Spin dynamics in cold 87Rb quantum gases

Experimental concepts for the various spin excitations in the ferromagnetic F= 2 and the antiferromagnetic F = 2 ground states of /sup 87/Rb are discussed. The experiments are mainly based on Bose-Einstein condensates in dilute gases of /sup 87/Rb, produced in a compact apparatus. The system design is based on a double MOT, diode laser systems and a hybrid cloverleaf-4D magnetic trap. Progress on transferring the thus produced Bose-Einstein condensates into a far red-detuned optical dipole trap operating at 1064 nm and observing spin dynamics in the F= 1 as well as the F = 2 state of /sup 87/Rb. /sup 87/Rb is expected to show ferromagnetic behaviour in the F = 1 state and antiferromagnetic behaviour in the F=2 state, leading to various interesting experimental possibilities.