Spatial observation of Bose-Einstein condensation of87Rbin a confining potential

Bose-Einstein condensation of ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ has been observed in a vapor cell time-averaged orbiting potential trap, and the trapped condensates have been studied using in situ absorption and dark-ground imaging methods. Condensates of $3\times {10}^4$ atoms were observed after 26 s of evaporative cooling. The evaporative cooling sequence consisted of a combination of cooling with ramping magnetic-field strengths and radio-frequency-induced cooling. The measured sizes, numbers of atoms, and transition temperatures of the condensates are consistent with theoretical predictions that include the effects of atomic interactions.