Heat capacity of a strongly interacting Fermi gas.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

We have measured the heat capacity of an optically trapped, strongly interacting Fermi gas of atoms. A precise addition of energy to the gas is followed by single-parameter thermometry, which determines the empirical temperature parameter of the gas cloud. Our measurements reveal a clear transition in the heat capacity. The energy and the spatial profile of the gas are computed using a theory of the crossover from Fermi to Bose superfluids at finite temperatures. The theory calibrates the empirical temperature parameter, yields excellent agreement with the data, and predicts the onset of superfluidity at the observed transition point.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Kinast, J; Turlapov, A; Thomas, JE; Chen, Q; Stajic, J; Levin, K

Published Date

  • February 2005

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 307 / 5713

Start / End Page

  • 1296 - 1299

PubMed ID

  • 15681340

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1095-9203

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0036-8075

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1126/science.1109220

Language

  • eng