Towards experimental research on quantum thermodynamics with ultracold atoms

This thesis is devoted to experimental research on non-equilibrium quantum thermodynamics using ultracold atoms. An ultracold atom cloud with 1×105 87Rb atoms are immersed in a cold 39K MOT to investigate the novel thermodynamics of ultracold atoms in the presence of a dissipative environment. As a result, a metastable state with a finite BEC fraction at a temperature above the critical temperature has been observed in this system. The relaxation time of this state is longer than the typical experimental time scale ( 0.1 ms 100 ms ). This result can be used as a tool to experimentally prepare a high condensate fraction state at a high temperature, it is also potentially to triggerthe theoretical curiosity on the microscopic description of out-of-equilibrium quantum gases. Additionally, an experimental apparatus for trapping a singleneutral 41K atom has been also discussed. Once constructed, the single 41K atom and the surrounding ultracold 87Rb atom gas will act as the working fluid and the thermal bath and the quantum thermodynamics transformations are expected to be achieved in this system