The Design, Realization, and Validation of the Scheme for Quantum Degenerate Research in Microgravity

In microgravity, atoms can be prepared to a lower temperature and manipulated with a longer time. The Cold Atom Physics Research Rack (CAPR) in Chinese Space Station, which aims to prepare quantum degenerate gas for deep cooling and quantum simulation in microgravity, has been designed, realized, and validated. We built an integrated CAPR, consisting of a physical system, an all-fiber 780 nm laser system and a low phase noise 1064 nm fiber laser system, and an electrical driving and controlling system. With the CAPR, a
⁸⁷
Rb quantum degenerate gas with 1.2 × 10
⁵
atoms and a temperature below 30 nK was achieved on ground. In this article, we also show the robustness of the rack, based on the experimental results before and after the simulation of the vibration and impact during the launch.