Exisiting at temperatures near absolute zero, BECs are fragile creatures. However, one can utilise minimally-destructive imaging techniques that tune off-resonance and measure the phase shift imparted on the light by the BEC. This technique can enable hundreds of images of the same condensate.
We propose to combine two techniques for a powerful real-time meausurement of BEC position and moments. First, we can apply a RF sideband to the off-resonant light using a electro-optic modulator, enabling a real-time measurement of condensate density with matched photodiodes. By using a dynamic pattern of the imaging light produced by a rapidly configurable digital micromirror device, we can tailor the density measurement to sense the BEC motion in multiple directions.
These techniques will lay the groundwork for real-time feedback and cooling of the trapped condensate.