Hulet, Randy G.Bradley, Curtis C.Sackett, C. A.2015-03-302015-03-301997Hulet, Randy G., Bradley, Curtis C. and Sackett, C. A.. "Bose-Einstein condensation of lithium." <i>SPIE Proceedings,</i> 2995, (1997) SPIE: 223-231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.273760.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/79395Bose-Einstein condensation of 7Li has been studied in a magnetically trapped gas. Because of the effectively attractive interactions between 7Li atoms, many-body quantum theory predicts that the occupation number of the condensate is limited to about 1400 atoms. We observe the condensate number to be limited to a maximum value between 650 and 1300 atoms. The measurements were made using a versatile phase-contrast imaging technique. We discuss our measurements, the current theoretical understanding of BEC in a gas with attractive interactions, and future experiments we hope to perform.engArticle is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.Journal articleBose-Einstein condensationnegative scattering lengthlithiumphase contrast imaginghttp://dx.doi.org/10.1117/12.273760