Molecular Bose–Einstein condensates: effects of molecular rotations on transition temperature and heat capacity

• Main Authors: Ooi, Chong Heng Raymond, Liu, Wu Ming
• Format: Article
• Published: IOP Publishing 2019
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QC Physics
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/23791/; https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6455/ab08b0
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

We study the effects of molecular rotations on the transition temperature of molecular Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC). A semi-analytical method that includes the translation and rotational degrees of freedom is introduced to compute the temperature dependence of the mean condensate number and the heat capacity. Rotating molecules show a lower transition temperature and smaller heat capacity compared to an atomic BEC. The transition temperature increases with increased rotational frequency. These findings are explained and verified by analytical expressions that we derive. The results for three-, two- and one-dimensional harmonic traps are compared, showing a higher transition temperature for molecules in a lower dimensional trap. We discuss the possibility of realizing the trapping and rotational parameters. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.