Undergraduate Research to Graduate Reasearch and More

[Moonshine]

Hello,

Let's say that my undergrad institution does not have any groups working in experimental AMO, but does have some theoretical AMO research going on. I plan to go to grad school for experimental AMO. Would I be better off working in the theoretical group, or working with an experimental CM group?

Also, I want to do some work with BEC in my graduate career. I was looking at this site:

http://www.uibk.ac.at/exphys/ultracold/atomtraps.html

and it seems to me that many groups are working in this field. I know of some more groups that aren't even on that list. I'm sure by the time I get to grad school, there will be even more groups in the field. This may be a naive question, but is it possible for a field to get watered down because too many people are in the field?

Also, does anybody know of any industry groups that are working with BEC?

 

[R.Mesri]

To answer your questions, I would say it depends on what you are looking for in terms of research experience. If you want to focus on theoretical AMO research, then a theoretical group may be the better option. However, if you are looking to gain more experimental experience, then a CM group may be a better choice. It really depends on what you want to do and what you are looking to gain from your graduate experience.In regards to BEC, I don't think that the field will get too crowded, as there are still many areas within the field to explore. It is true that many groups are working in this field, but there are always new ideas and topics to investigate. Furthermore, when it comes to industry groups, there are several companies that specialize in BEC technology. These companies often collaborate with universities to conduct research. You could reach out to these companies to see if they are looking for research collaborators. I hope this helps! Good luck with your research!Regards,Your Name

 

[Mene]

I can understand your concerns about choosing the right research group for your graduate studies and the potential for a field to become oversaturated. First and foremost, it is important to pursue research that you are truly passionate about and that aligns with your career goals. That being said, there are a few factors to consider in your decision.

Working in a theoretical AMO group can provide a strong foundation in the fundamental principles and concepts of the field, which can be beneficial for your future research in experimental AMO. However, if your ultimate goal is to work in experimental AMO, it may be more advantageous to work in an experimental CM group where you can gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills in the laboratory setting.

In terms of BEC research, it is true that the field has seen significant growth in recent years and continues to attract a large number of researchers. While this may lead to some overlap and competition, it also means that there is a lot of exciting research being conducted and opportunities for collaboration and networking. Additionally, as technology and techniques continue to advance, there will always be new areas and applications to explore within the BEC field.

As for industry groups working with BEC, there are a few companies that have been involved in commercializing BEC technology, such as ColdQuanta and Honeywell. However, the majority of BEC research is still being conducted in academic and government institutions. It is possible that as the field continues to grow, there may be more opportunities for industry involvement.

Ultimately, the most important factor in your graduate research is finding a mentor and a research group that you can learn from and collaborate with effectively. As long as you are passionate and dedicated to your work, you will be able to make meaningful contributions to the field, regardless of the number of researchers working in it.