Published August 28, 2009 | Version v1
Journal article

Enhanced Heat Flow in the Hydrodynamic Collisionless Regime

  • 1. Atom Optics and Ultrafast Dynamics, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80000, 3508 TA Utrecht (Netherlands)

Description

We study the heat conduction of a cold, thermal cloud in a highly asymmetric trap. The cloud is axially hydrodynamic, but due to the asymmetric trap radially collisionless. By locally heating the cloud we excite a thermal dipole mode and measure its oscillation frequency and damping rate. We find an unexpectedly large heat conduction compared to the homogeneous case. The enhanced heat conduction in this regime is partially caused by atoms with a high angular momentum spiraling in trajectories around the core of the cloud. Since atoms in these trajectories are almost collisionless they strongly contribute to the heat transfer. We observe a second, oscillating hydrodynamic mode, which we identify as a standing wave sound mode.

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
103
Journal Issue
9
Journal Page Range
p. 095301-095301.4
ISSN
0031-9007
CODEN
PRLTAO

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
41083755
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
ANGULAR MOMENTUM; ASYMMETRY; DIPOLES; HEAT FLUX; SOUND WAVES; STANDING WAVES; THERMAL CONDUCTION; TRAJECTORIES; TRAPS
Descriptors DEC
ENERGY TRANSFER; HEAT TRANSFER; MULTIPOLES

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2009 The American Physical Society