Superfluidity of spin-polarized 6 Li

Abstract

We study the prospects for observing superfluidity in a spin-polarized atomic gas of 6 Li atoms, using state-of-the-art interatomic potentials. We determine the spinodal line and show that a BCS transition to the superfluid state can indeed occur in the (meta)stable region of the phase diagram if the densities are sufficiently low. We also discuss the stability of the gas due to exchange and dipolar relaxation and conclude that the prospects for observing superfluidity in a magnetically trapped atomic 6 Li gas are particularly promising for magnetic bias fields larger than 10 T. © 1996 American Physical Society.