Probing the degree of coherence through the full 1D-3D dimensional crossover

We experimentally study a gas of quantum degenerate $^{87}$Rb atoms throughout the full dimensional crossover, from a one-dimensional (1D) system exhibiting phase fluctuations consistent with 1D theory to a three-dimensional (3D) phase-coherent system, thereby smoothly interpolating between these distinct, well-understood regimes. Using a hybrid trapping architecture combining an atom chip with a printed circuit board, we continuously adjust the system's dimensionality and explore a wide range of chemical potentials $\mu$ and temperatures $T$ and study the phase fluctuations through the power spectrum of density ripples in time-of-flight expansion. We find that while $\mu$ controls the departure of the system from 3D, inside the crossover the fluctuations are dependent on both $\mu$ and $T$, with an increasing dependence on $T$ as the system becomes more 1D. Ultimately, the fluctuations are shown to be determined by the relative occupation of 1D axial collective excitations.