Dr J F McCann

Quantum mechanics predicts extraordinary properties for a system of identical particles. For example, bosons, cooled to extremely low temperatures, interact through statistical forces so that all the particles are forced into the lowest energy state. This effect, known as Bose-Einstein condensation, was predicted over 60 years ago, but observed experimentally, for a weakly-interacting gas, only recently (Anderson et al, 1995) in Nobel prize winning work.

Using theoretical models of weakly interacting Bose gases, we predicted the conditions for the breakdown of superfluid flow. This was experimentally confirmed by Ketterlee and coworkers at MIT (1999). While our calculations of gyroscopic precession of vortex lines and the creation of Kelvin modes (Nilsen H M 2003 J.Phys.B 36 1703) of oscillation was found to be in agreement with the breakthrough experiments of Chris Foot's group in Oxford (2004).

Currently, with Lauren Rutherford (DEL PhD research student) I am working on laser cooling processes for neutral atoms and ions. This work is being carried out in collaboration with the experimental group of Dr Ian Lane (Queen's) working on group 13 element cooling (Peng R et al 2007 J.Phys. B 40 1535)

I also have a collaboration with Prof. Richard Thompson (Imperial College) on cooling in ion traps. We are currently developing models of cooling bursts as Magnesium ions are cooled towards the Doppler limit.

For further information and publications click here .