Expansion of an ultracold Rydberg plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forest, Gabriel T.; Li, Yin; Ward, Edwin D.; Goodsell, Anne L.; Tate, Duncan A.

2018-04-01

We report a systematic experimental and numerical study of the expansion of ultracold Rydberg plasmas. Specifically, we have measured the asymptotic expansion velocities, v0, of ultracold neutral plasmas (UNPs) which evolve from cold, dense samples of Rydberg rubidium atoms using ion time-of-flight spectroscopy. From this, we have obtained values for the effective initial plasma electron temperature, Te ,0=mionv02/kB (where mion is the Rb+ ion mass), as a function of the original Rydberg atom density and binding energy, Eb ,i. We have also simulated numerically the interaction of UNPs with a large reservoir of Rydberg atoms to obtain data to compare with our experimental results. We find that for Rydberg atom densities in the range 107-109 cm-3, for states with principal quantum number n >40 , Te ,0 is insensitive to the initial ionization mechanism which seeds the plasma. In addition, the quantity kBTe ,0 is strongly correlated with the fraction of atoms which ionize, and is in the range 0.6 ×| Eb ,i|≲ kBTe ,0≲2.5 ×|Eb ,i| . On the other hand, plasmas from Rydberg samples with n ≲40 evolve with no significant additional ionization of the remaining atoms once a threshold number of ions has been established. The dominant interaction between the plasma electrons and the Rydberg atoms is one in which the atoms are deexcited, a heating process for electrons that competes with adiabatic cooling to establish an equilibrium where Te ,0 is determined by their Coulomb coupling parameter, Γe˜0.01 .

Ultracold atoms in an optical lattice one millimeter from air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jervis, Dylan; Edge, Graham; Trotzky, Stefan; McKay, David; Thywissen, Joseph

2013-05-01

Over the past decade, ultracold atoms in optical lattices have shown to be versatile systems able to realize canonical Hamiltonians of condensed matter. High-resolution in-situ imaging of ultracold clouds has furthermore enabled thermometry, equation of state measurements, direct measurement of fluctuations, and unprecedented control. We report on microscopy of ultracold bosons and fermions in a novel configuration where the atoms are harmonically trapped 800 microns away from a 200 micron-thick vacuum window. This window also serves as a retro-reflecting mirror for an optical lattice, into which the atoms can be loaded. Two additional transverse standing waves complete the three-dimensional lattice setup. In free space, we have shown that laser cooling with 405 nm light, on the open 4S1/2-5P3/2 transition, allows for temperatures below the Doppler temperature of the 4S1/2-4P3/2 cycling transition at 767 nm. Microscopy with 405 nm light furthermore reduces the diffraction limit of in-situ imaging.

Tunneling and traversal of ultracold three-level atoms through vacuum-induced potentials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Badshah, Fazal; Irfan, Muhammad; Qamar, Shahid

2011-09-15

The passage of ultracold three-level atoms through the potential induced by the vacuum cavity mode is discussed using cascade atomic configuration. We study the tunneling or traversal time of the ultracold atoms via a bimodal high-Q cavity. It is found that the phase time, which may be considered as a measure for the time required to traverse the cavity, exhibits superclassical and subclassical behaviors. Further, the dark states and interference effects in cascade atomic configuration may influence the passage time of the atom through the cavity.

Ultra-cold 4He atom beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulders, N.; Wyatt, A. F. G.

1994-02-01

It has been shown that it is possible to create ultra-cold 4He atom beams, using a metal film heater covered with a superfluid helium film. The transient behaviour of the atom pulse can be improved significantly by shaping of the heater pulse. The leading edge of more energetic atoms can be suppressed nearly completely, leaving a core of mono-energetic atoms. The maximum number of atoms in the pulse is determined by the amount of helium in the superfluid film on the heater. This seriously limits the ranges of pulse width and energy over which this beam source can be operated. However, these can be increased significantly by using porous gold smoke heaters.

Ultra-Cold Atoms on Optical Lattices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ghosh, Parag

2009-01-01

The field of ultra-cold atoms, since the achievement of Bose-Einstein Condensation (Anderson et al., 1995; Davis et al., 1995; Bradley et al., 1995), have seen an immensely growing interest over the past decade. With the creation of optical lattices, new possibilities of studying some of the widely used models in condensed matter have opened up.…

Understanding Molecular Ion-Neutral Atom Collisions for the Production of Ultracold Molecular Ions

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-06

Understanding Molecular Ion-Neutral Atom Collisions for the Production of Utracold Molecular Ions In the last five years, the study of ultracold...U.S. Army Research Office P.O. Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 molecular ion, quantum chemistry, atom ion interaction...Molecular Ion-Neutral Atom Collisions for the Production of Utracold Molecular Ions Report Title In the last five years, the study of ultracold molecular

Interference, focusing and excitation of ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kandes, M. C.; Fahy, B. M.; Williams, S. R.; Tally, C. H., IV; Bromley, M. W. J.

2011-05-01

One of the pressing technological challenges in atomic physics is to go orders-of-magnitude beyond the limits of photon-based optics by harnessing the wave-nature of dilute clouds of ultracold atoms. We have developed parallelised algorithms to perform numerical calculations of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation in up to three dimensions and with up to three components to simulate Bose-Einstein condensates. A wide-ranging array of the physics associated with atom optics-based systems will be presented including BEC-based Sagnac interferometry in circular waveguides, the focusing of BECs using Laguerre-Gauss beams, and the interactions between BECs and Ince-Gaussian laser beams and their potential applications. One of the pressing technological challenges in atomic physics is to go orders-of-magnitude beyond the limits of photon-based optics by harnessing the wave-nature of dilute clouds of ultracold atoms. We have developed parallelised algorithms to perform numerical calculations of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation in up to three dimensions and with up to three components to simulate Bose-Einstein condensates. A wide-ranging array of the physics associated with atom optics-based systems will be presented including BEC-based Sagnac interferometry in circular waveguides, the focusing of BECs using Laguerre-Gauss beams, and the interactions between BECs and Ince-Gaussian laser beams and their potential applications. Performed on computational resources via NSF grants PHY-0970127, CHE-0947087 and DMS-0923278.

Observation of Feshbach resonances between ultracold Na and Rb atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fudong; Xiong, Dezhi; Li, Xiaoke; Wang, Dajun

2013-03-01

Absolute ground-state 23Na87Rb molecule has a large electric dipole moment of 3.3 Debye and its two body exchange chemical reaction is energetically forbidden at ultracold temperatures. It is thus a nice candidate for studying quantum gases with dipolar interactions. We have built an experiment setup to investigate ultracold collisions between Na and Rb atoms as a first step toward the production of ground state molecular samples. Ultracold mixtures are first obtained by evaporative cooling of Rb and sympathetic cooling of Na. They are then transferred to a crossed dipole trap and prepared in different spin combinations for Feshbach resonance study. Several resonances below 1000 G are observed with both atoms prepared in either | F = 1,mF = 1 > or | F = 1,mF = - 1 > hyperfine states. Most of them are within 30 G of predicted values§ based on potentials obtained by high quality molecular spectroscopy studies. This work is supported by RGC Hong Kong. § E. Tiemann, private communications

SU(3) Orbital Kondo Effect with Ultracold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishida, Yusuke

2013-09-01

We propose a simple but novel scheme to realize the Kondo effect with ultracold atoms. Our system consists of a Fermi sea of spinless fermions interacting with an impurity atom of different species which is confined by an isotropic potential. The interspecies attraction can be tuned with an s-wave Feshbach resonance so that the impurity atom and a spinless fermion form a bound dimer that occupies a threefold-degenerate p orbital of the confinement potential. Many-body scatterings of this dimer and surrounding spinless fermions occur with exchanging their angular momenta and thus exhibit the SU(3) orbital Kondo effect. The associated Kondo temperature has a universal leading exponent given by TK∝exp⁡[-π/(3apkF3)] that depends only on an effective p-wave scattering volume ap and a Fermi wave vector kF. We also elucidate a Kondo singlet formation at zero temperature and an anisotropic interdimer interaction mediated by surrounding spinless fermions. The Kondo effect thus realized in ultracold atom experiments may be observed as an increasing atom loss by lowering the temperature or with radio-frequency spectroscopy. Our scheme and its extension to a dense Kondo lattice will be useful to develop new insights into yet unresolved aspects of Kondo physics.

Velocity selection for ultracold atoms using mazer action in a bimodal cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irshad, Afshan; Qamar, Sajid; Qamar, Shahid

2010-01-01

In this paper, we discuss the velocity selection of ultracold three-level atoms in Λ configuration using a mazer. Our model is the same as discussed by Arun et al. [R. Arun, G.S. Agarwal, M.O. Scully, H. Walther, Phys. Rev. A 62 (2000) 023809] for mazer action in a bimodal cavity. We show that the initial Maxwellian velocity distribution of ultracold atoms can be narrowed due to the presence of resonances in the transmission through dressed-state potential. When the atoms are initially prepared in one of the two lower atomic states then significantly better velocity selectivity is obtained due to the presence of dark states.

Coherent Multiple Light Scattering in Ultracold Atomic Rb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulatunga, Pasad; Sukenik, C. I.; Balik, Salim; Havey, M. D.; Kupriyanov, D. V.; Sokolov, I. M.

2003-05-01

Wave transport in mesoscopic systems can be strongly influenced by coherent multiple scattering,which can lead to novel magneto-optic, transmission, and backscattering effects of light in atomic vapors. Although related to traditional studies of radiation trapping, in ultracold vapors negligible frequency or phase redistribution takes place in the scattering, and high-order coherent light scattering occurs. Among other things, this leads to enhancement of the influence of otherwise small non-resonant terms in the scattering amplitudes. We report investigation of multiple coherent light scattering from ultracold Rb atoms confined in a magneto-optic trap (MOT). In experimental studies, measurements are made of the angular, spectral, and polarization-dependent coherent backscattering profile of a low-intensity probe beam tuned near the F = 3 - F' = 4 hyperfine transition. The influence of higher probe beam intensity is also studied. In a theoretical study of angular intensity enhancement of backscattered light, we consider scattering orders up to 10 and a realistic and asymmetric Gaussian atom distribution in the MOT. Supported by NSF, NATO, and RFBR.

Ultracold collisions between Rb atoms and a Sr+ ion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meir, Ziv; Sikorsky, Tomas; Ben-Shlomi, Ruti; Dallal, Yehonatan; Ozeri, Roee

2015-05-01

In last decade, a novel field emerged, in which ultracold atoms and ions in overlapping traps are brought into interaction. In contrast to the short ranged atom-atom interaction which scales as r-6, atom-ion potential persists for hundreds of μm's due to its lower power-law scaling - r-4. Inelastic collisions between the consistuents lead to spin and charge transfer and also to molecule formation. Elastic collisions control the energy transfer between the ion and the atoms. The study of collisions at the μK range has thus far been impeded by the effect of the ion's micromotion which limited collision energy to mK scale. Unraveling this limit will allow to investigate few partial wave and even S-wave collisions. Our system is capable of trapping Sr+ ions and Rb and Sr atoms and cooling them to their quantum ground state. Atoms and ions are trapped and cooled in separate chambers. Then, the atoms are transported using an optical conveyer belt to overlap the ions. In contrast to other experiments in this field where the atoms are used to sympathetic cool the ion, our system is also capable of ground state cooling the ion before immersing it into the atom cloud. By this method, we would be able to explore heating and cooling dynamics in the ultracold regime.

Ultracold-atom quantum simulator for attosecond science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sala, Simon; Förster, Johann; Saenz, Alejandro

2017-01-01

A quantum simulator based on ultracold optically trapped atoms for simulating the physics of atoms and molecules in ultrashort intense laser fields is introduced. The slowing down by about 13 orders of magnitude allows one to watch in slow motion the tunneling and recollision processes that form the heart of attosecond science. The extreme flexibility of the simulator promises a deeper understanding of strong-field physics, especially for many-body systems beyond the reach of classical computers. The quantum simulator can experimentally straightforwardly be realized and is shown to recover the ionization characteristics of atoms in the different regimes of laser-matter interaction.

Atomtronics: Realizing the behavior of electronic components in ultracold atomic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pepino, Ron

2007-06-01

Atomtronics focuses on creating an analogy of electronic devices and circuits with ultracold atoms. Such an analogy can come from the highly tunable band structure of ultracold neutral atoms trapped in optical lattices. Solely by tuning the parameters of the optical lattice, we demonstrate that conditions can be created that cause atoms in lattices to exhibit the same behavior as electrons moving through solid state media. We present our model and show how the atomtronic diode, field effect transistor, and bipolar junction transistor can all be realized. Our analogs of these fundamental components exhibit precisely-controlled atomic signal amplification, trimming, and switching (on/off) characteristics. In addition, the evolution of dynamics of the superfluid atomic currents within these systems is completely reversible. This implies a possible use of atomtronic systems in the development of quantum computational devices.

An apparatus for immersing trapped ions into an ultracold gas of neutral atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmid, Stefan; Härter, Arne; Frisch, Albert; Hoinka, Sascha; Denschlag, Johannes Hecker

2012-05-01

We describe a hybrid vacuum system in which a single ion or a well-defined small number of trapped ions (in our case Ba+ or Rb+) can be immersed into a cloud of ultracold neutral atoms (in our case Rb). This apparatus allows for the study of collisions and interactions between atoms and ions in the ultracold regime. Our setup is a combination of a Bose-Einstein condensation apparatus and a linear Paul trap. The main design feature of the apparatus is to first separate the production locations for the ion and the ultracold atoms and then to bring the two species together. This scheme has advantages in terms of stability and available access to the region where the atom-ion collision experiments are carried out. The ion and the atoms are brought together using a moving one-dimensional optical lattice transport which vertically lifts the atomic sample over a distance of 30 cm from its production chamber into the center of the Paul trap in another chamber. We present techniques to detect and control the relative position between the ion and the atom cloud.

Parametric Cooling of Ultracold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boguslawski, Matthew; Bharath, H. M.; Barrios, Maryrose; Chapman, Michael

2017-04-01

An oscillator is characterized by a restoring force which determines the natural frequency at which oscillations occur. The amplitude and phase-noise of these oscillations can be amplified or squeezed by modulating the magnitude of this force (e.g. the stiffness of the spring) at twice the natural frequency. This is parametric excitation; a long-studied phenomena in both the classical and quantum regimes. Parametric cooling, or the parametric squeezing of thermo-mechanical noise in oscillators has been studied in micro-mechanical oscillators and trapped ions. We study parametric cooling in ultracold atoms. This method shows a modest reduction of the variance of atomic momenta, and can be easily employed with pre-existing controls in many experiments. Parametric cooling is comparable to delta-kicked cooling, sharing similar limitations. We expect this cooling to find utility in microgravity experiments where the experiment duration is limited by atomic free expansion.

A hybrid system of a membrane oscillator coupled to ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kampschulte, Tobias

2015-05-01

The control over micro- and nanomechanical oscillators has recently made impressive progress. First experiments demonstrated ground-state cooling and single-phonon control of high-frequency oscillators using cryogenic cooling and techniques of cavity optomechanics. Coupling engineered mechanical structures to microscopic quantum system with good coherence properties offers new possibilities for quantum control of mechanical vibrations, precision sensing and quantum-level signal transduction. Ultracold atoms are an attractive choice for such hybrid systems: Mechanical can either be coupled to the motional state of trapped atoms, which can routinely be ground-state cooled, or to the internal states, for which a toolbox of coherent manipulation and detection exists. Furthermore, atomic collective states with non-classical properties can be exploited to infer the mechanical motion with reduced quantum noise. Here we use trapped ultracold atoms to sympathetically cool the fundamental vibrational mode of a Si3N4 membrane. The coupling of membrane and atomic motion is mediated by laser light over a macroscopic distance and enhanced by an optical cavity around the membrane. The observed cooling of the membrane from room temperature to 650 +/- 230 mK shows that our hybrid mechanical-atomic system operates at a large cooperativity. Our scheme could provide ground-state cooling and quantum control of low-frequency oscillators such as levitated nanoparticles, in a regime where purely optomechanical techniques cannot reach the ground state. Furthermore, we will present a scheme where an optomechanical system is coupled to internal states of ultracold atoms. The mechanical motion is translated into a polarization rotation which drives Raman transitions between atomic ground states. Compared to the motional-state coupling, the new scheme enables to couple atoms to high-frequency structures such as optomechanical crystals.

Ultracold atoms in strong synthetic magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ketterle, Wolfgang

2015-03-01

The Harper Hofstadter Hamiltonian describes charged particles in the lowest band of a lattice at high magnetic fields. This Hamiltonian can be realized with ultracold atoms using laser assisted tunneling which imprints the same phase into the wavefunction of neutral atoms as a magnetic field dose for electrons. I will describe our observation of a bosonic superfluid in a magnetic field with half a flux quantum per lattice unit cell, and discuss new possibilities for implementing spin-orbit coupling. Work done in collaboration with C.J. Kennedy, G.A. Siviloglou, H. Miyake, W.C. Burton, and Woo Chang Chung.

Floquet Engineering of Correlated Tunneling in the Bose-Hubbard Model with Ultracold Atoms.

PubMed

Meinert, F; Mark, M J; Lauber, K; Daley, A J; Nägerl, H-C

2016-05-20

We report on the experimental implementation of tunable occupation-dependent tunneling in a Bose-Hubbard system of ultracold atoms via time-periodic modulation of the on-site interaction energy. The tunneling rate is inferred from a time-resolved measurement of the lattice site occupation after a quantum quench. We demonstrate coherent control of the tunneling dynamics in the correlated many-body system, including full suppression of tunneling as predicted within the framework of Floquet theory. We find that the tunneling rate explicitly depends on the atom number difference in neighboring lattice sites. Our results may open up ways to realize artificial gauge fields that feature density dependence with ultracold atoms.

Spontaneous evolution of rydberg atoms into an ultracold plasma

PubMed

Robinson; Tolra; Noel; Gallagher; Pillet

2000-11-20

We have observed the spontaneous evolution of a dense sample of Rydberg atoms into an ultracold plasma, in spite of the fact that each of the atoms may initially be bound by up to 100 cm(-1). When the atoms are initially bound by 70 cm(-1), this evolution occurs when most of the atoms are translationally cold, <1 mK, but a small fraction, approximately 1%, is at room temperature. Ionizing collisions between hot and cold Rydberg atoms and blackbody photoionization produce an essentially stationary cloud of cold ions, which traps electrons produced later. The trapped electrons rapidly collisionally ionize the remaining cold Rydberg atoms to form a cold plasma.

Light-induced atomic desorption in a compact system for ultracold atoms

PubMed Central

Torralbo-Campo, Lara; Bruce, Graham D.; Smirne, Giuseppe; Cassettari, Donatella

2015-01-01

In recent years, light-induced atomic desorption (LIAD) of alkali atoms from the inner surface of a vacuum chamber has been employed in cold atom experiments for the purpose of modulating the alkali background vapour. This is beneficial because larger trapped atom samples can be loaded from vapour at higher pressure, after which the pressure is reduced to increase the lifetime of the sample. We present an analysis, based on the case of rubidium atoms adsorbed on pyrex, of various aspects of LIAD that are useful for this application. Firstly, we study the intensity dependence of LIAD by fitting the experimental data with a rate-equation model, from which we extract a correct prediction for the increase in trapped atom number. Following this, we quantify a figure of merit for the utility of LIAD in cold atom experiments and we show how it can be optimised for realistic experimental parameters. PMID:26458325

Microwave ac Zeeman force for ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fancher, C. T.; Pyle, A. J.; Rotunno, A. P.; Aubin, S.

2018-04-01

We measure the ac Zeeman force on an ultracold gas of 87Rb due to a microwave magnetic field targeted to the 6.8 GHz hyperfine splitting of these atoms. An atom chip produces a microwave near field with a strong amplitude gradient, and we observe a force over three times the strength of gravity. Our measurements are consistent with a simple two-level theory for the ac Zeeman effect and demonstrate its resonant, bipolar, and spin-dependent nature. We observe that the dressed-atom eigenstates gradually mix over time and have mapped out this behavior as a function of magnetic field and detuning. We demonstrate the practical spin selectivity of the force by pushing or pulling a specific spin state while leaving other spin states unmoved.

Dipole-dipole interactions in a hot atomic vapor and in an ultracold gas of Rydberg atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sautenkov, V. A.; Saakyan, S. A.; Bronin, S. Ya; Klyarfeld, A. B.; Zelener, B. B.; Zelener, B. V.

2018-01-01

In our paper ideal and non-ideal gas media of neutral atoms are analyzed. The first we discuss a dipole broadening of atomic transitions in excited dilute and dense metal vapors. Then the theoretical studies of the dipole-dipole interactions in dense ultracold gas of Rydberg atoms are considered. Possible future experiments on a base of our experimental arrangement are suggested.

Dirac-, Rashba-, and Weyl-type spin-orbit couplings: Toward experimental realization in ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Bao-Zong; Lu, Yue-Hui; Sun, Wei; Chen, Shuai; Deng, Youjin; Liu, Xiong-Jun

2018-01-01

We propose a hierarchy set of minimal optical Raman lattice schemes to pave the way for experimental realization of high-dimensional spin-orbit (SO) couplings for ultracold atoms, including two-dimensional (2D) Dirac type, 2D Rashba type, and three-dimensional (3D) Weyl type. The proposed Dirac-type SO coupling exhibits precisely controllable high symmetry, for which a large topological phase region is predicted. The generation of 2D Rashba and 3D Weyl types requires that two sources of laser beams have distinct frequencies of factor 2 difference. Surprisingly, we find that 133Cs atoms provide an ideal candidate for the realization. A common and essential feature is of high controllability and absent of any fine-tuning in the realization, and the resulting SO coupled ultracold atoms have a long lifetime. In particular, a long-lived topological Bose gas of 2D Dirac SO coupling has been proved in the follow-up experiment. These schemes essentially improve over the current experimental accessibility and controllability, and open a realistic way to explore novel high-dimensional SO physics, particularly quantum many-body physics and quantum far-from-equilibrium dynamics with novel topology for ultracold atoms.

Experimental study of the role of trap symmetry in an atom-chip interferometer above the Bose–Einstein condensation threshold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dupont-Nivet, M.; Demur, R.; Westbrook, C. I.; Schwartz, S.

2018-04-01

We report the experimental study of an atom-chip interferometer using ultracold rubidium 87 atoms above the Bose–Einstein condensation threshold. The observed dependence of the contrast decay time with temperature and with the degree of symmetry of the traps during the interferometer sequence is in good agreement with theoretical predictions published in Dupont-Nivet et al (2016 New J. Phys. 18 113012). These results pave the way for precision measurements with trapped thermal atoms.

Manipulation of ultracold Rb atoms using a single linearly chirped laser pulse.

PubMed

Collins, T A; Malinovskaya, S A

2012-06-15

At ultracold temperatures, atoms are free from thermal motion, which makes them ideal objects of investigations aiming to advance high-precision spectroscopy, metrology, quantum computation, producing Bose condensates, etc. The quantum state of ultracold atoms may be created and manipulated by making use of quantum control methods employing low-intensity pulses. We theoretically investigate population dynamics of ultracold Rb vapor induced by nanosecond linearly chirped pulses having kW/cm2 beam intensity and show a possibility of controllable population transfer between hyperfine (HpF) levels of 5(2)/S(1/2) state through Raman transitions. Satisfying the one-photon resonance condition with the lowest of the HpF states of 5(2)/P(1/2) or 5(2)/P(3/2) state allows us to enter the adiabatic region of population transfer at very low field intensities, such that corresponding Rabi frequencies are less than or equal to the HpF splitting. This methodology provides a robust way to create a specifically designed superposition state in Rb in the basis of HpF levels and perform state manipulation controllable on the picosecond-to-nanosecond time scale.

Compact Laser System for Field Deployable Ultracold Atom Sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pino, Juan; Luey, Ben; Anderson, Mike

2013-05-01

As ultracold atom sensors begin to see their way to the field, there is a growing need for small, accurate, and robust laser systems to cool and manipulate atoms for sensing applications such as magnetometers, gravimeters, atomic clocks and inertial sensing. In this poster we present a laser system for Rb, roughly the size of a paperback novel, capable of generating and controlling light sufficient for the most complicated of cold atom sensors. The system includes >100dB of non-mechanical, optical shuttering, the ability to create short, microsecond pulses, a Demux stage to port light onto different optical paths, and an atomically referenced, frequency agile laser source. We will present data to support the system, its Size Weight and Power (SWaP) requirements, as well as laser stability and performance. funded under DARPA

Doppler-free spectroscopy of the atomic rubidium fine structure using ultrafast spatial coherent control method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Minhyuk; Kim, Kyungtae; Lee, Woojun; Kim, Hyosub; Ahn, Jaewook

2017-04-01

Spectral programming solutions for the ultrafast spatial coherent control (USCC) method to resolve the fine-structure energy levels of atomic rubidium are reported. In USCC, a pair of counter-propagating ultrashort laser pulses are programmed to make a two-photon excitation pattern specific to particular transition pathways and atom species, thus allowing the involved transitions resolvable in space simultaneously. With a proper spectral phase and amplitude modulation, USCC has been also demonstrated for the systems with many intermediate energy levels. Pushing the limit of system complexity even further, we show here an experimental demonstration of the rubidium fine-structure excitation pattern resolvable by USCC. The spectral programming solution for the given USCC is achieved by combining a double-V-shape spectral phase function and a set of phase steps, where the former distinguishes the fine structure and the latter prevents resonant transitions. The experimental results will be presented along with its application in conjunction with the Doppler-free frequency-comb spectroscopy for rubidium hyperfine structure measurements. Samsung Science and Technology Foundation [SSTFBA1301-12].

Frequency standards based on ultracold atoms in tests of general relativity, navigation and gravimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khabarova, K. Yu.; Kudeyarov, K. S.; Kolachevsky, N. N.

2017-06-01

Research and development in the field of optical clocks based on ultracold atoms and ions have enabled the relative uncertainty in frequency to be reduced down to a few parts in 1018. The use of novel, precise frequency comparison methods opens up new possibilities for basic research (sensitive tests of general relativity, a search for a drift of fundamental constants and a search for ‘dark matter’) as well as for state-of-the-art navigation and gravimetry. We discuss the key methods that are used in creating precision clocks (including transportable clocks) based on ultracold atoms and ions and the feasibility of using them in resolving current relativistic gravimetry issues.

A heated vapor cell unit for dichroic atomic vapor laser lock in atomic rubidium.

PubMed

McCarron, Daniel J; Hughes, Ifan G; Tierney, Patrick; Cornish, Simon L

2007-09-01

The design and performance of a compact heated vapor cell unit for realizing a dichroic atomic vapor laser lock (DAVLL) for the D(2) transitions in atomic rubidium is described. A 5 cm long vapor cell is placed in a double-solenoid arrangement to produce the required magnetic field; the heat from the solenoid is used to increase the vapor pressure and correspondingly the DAVLL signal. We have characterized experimentally the dependence of important features of the DAVLL signal on magnetic field and cell temperature. For the weaker transitions both the amplitude and gradient of the signal are increased by an order of magnitude.

Effects of mode profile on tunneling and traversal of ultracold atoms through vacuum-induced potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Badshah, Fazal; Irfan, Muhammad; Qamar, Sajid; Qamar, Shahid

2016-04-01

We consider the resonant interaction of an ultracold two-level atom with an electromagnetic field inside a high-Q micromaser cavity. In particular, we study the tunneling and traversal of ultracold atoms through vacuum-induced potentials for secant hyperbolic square and sinusoidal cavity mode functions. The phase time which may be considered as an appropriate measure of the time required for the atoms to cross the cavity, significantly modifies with the change of cavity mode profile. For example, switching between the sub and superclassical behaviors in phase time can occur due to the mode function. Similarly, negative phase time appears for the transmission of the two-level atoms in both excited and ground states for secant hyperbolic square mode function which is in contrast to the mesa mode case.

Spin relaxation in ultracold collisions of molecular radicals with alkali-metal atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tscherbul, Timur; Klos, Jacek; Zukowski, Piotr

2016-05-01

We present accurate quantum scattering calculations of spin relaxation in ultracold collisions of alkali-metal atoms and polar 2 Σ molecules CaH, SrF, and SrOH. The calculations employ state-of-the-art ab initio interaction potentials and a rigorous quantum theory of atom-molecule collisions in a magnetic field based on the total angular momentum representation. We will further discuss the relevance of the results to atom-molecule sympathetic cooling experiments in a magnetic trap.

De Haas-van Alphen effect of a two-dimensional ultracold atomic gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farias, B.; Furtado, C.

2016-01-01

In this paper, we show how the ultracold atom analogue of the two-dimensional de Haas-van Alphen effect in electronic condensed matter systems can be induced by optical fields in a neutral atomic system. The interaction between the suitable spatially varying laser fields and tripod-type trapped atoms generates a synthetic magnetic field which leads the particles to organize themselves in Landau levels. Initially, with the atomic gas in a regime of lowest Landau level, we display the oscillatory behaviour of the atomic energy and its derivative with respect to the effective magnetic field (B) as a function of 1/B. Furthermore, we estimate the area of the Fermi circle of the two-dimensional atomic gas.

Quantum simulation of ultrafast dynamics using trapped ultracold atoms.

PubMed

Senaratne, Ruwan; Rajagopal, Shankari V; Shimasaki, Toshihiko; Dotti, Peter E; Fujiwara, Kurt M; Singh, Kevin; Geiger, Zachary A; Weld, David M

2018-05-25

Ultrafast electronic dynamics are typically studied using pulsed lasers. Here we demonstrate a complementary experimental approach: quantum simulation of ultrafast dynamics using trapped ultracold atoms. Counter-intuitively, this technique emulates some of the fastest processes in atomic physics with some of the slowest, leading to a temporal magnification factor of up to 12 orders of magnitude. In these experiments, time-varying forces on neutral atoms in the ground state of a tunable optical trap emulate the electric fields of a pulsed laser acting on bound charged particles. We demonstrate the correspondence with ultrafast science by a sequence of experiments: nonlinear spectroscopy of a many-body bound state, control of the excitation spectrum by potential shaping, observation of sub-cycle unbinding dynamics during strong few-cycle pulses, and direct measurement of carrier-envelope phase dependence of the response to an ultrafast-equivalent pulse. These results establish cold-atom quantum simulation as a complementary tool for studying ultrafast dynamics.

Work on the physics of ultracold atoms in Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolachevsky, N. N.; Taichenachev, A. V.

2018-05-01

In December 2017, the regular All-Russian Conference 'Physics of Ultracold Atoms' was held. Several tens of Russian scientists from major scientific centres of the country, as well as a number of leading foreign scientists took part in the Conference. The Conference topics covered a wide range of urgent problems: quantum metrology, quantum gases, waves of matter, spectroscopy, quantum computing, and laser cooling. This issue of Quantum Electronics publishes the papers reported at the conference and selected for the Journal by the Organising committee.

Experimental Observation of One-Dimensional Superradiance Lattices in Ultracold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Liangchao; Wang, Pengjun; Meng, Zengming; Huang, Lianghui; Cai, Han; Wang, Da-Wei; Zhu, Shi-Yao; Zhang, Jing

2018-05-01

We measure the superradiant emission in a one-dimensional (1D) superradiance lattice (SL) in ultracold atoms. Resonantly excited to a superradiant state, the atoms are further coupled to other collectively excited states, which form a 1D SL. The directional emission of one of the superradiant excited states in the 1D SL is measured. The emission spectra depend on the band structure, which can be controlled by the frequency and intensity of the coupling laser fields. This work provides a platform for investigating the collective Lamb shift of resonantly excited superradiant states in Bose-Einstein condensates and paves the way for realizing higher dimensional superradiance lattices.

Analytical solutions for the dynamics of two trapped interacting ultracold atoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Idziaszek, Zbigniew; Calarco, Tommaso; CNR-INFM BEC Center, I-38050 Povo

2006-08-15

We discuss exact solutions of the Schroedinger equation for the system of two ultracold atoms confined in an axially symmetric harmonic potential. We investigate different geometries of the trapping potential, in particular we study the properties of eigenenergies and eigenfunctions for quasi-one-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional traps. We show that the quasi-one-dimensional and the quasi-two-dimensional regimes for two atoms can be already realized in the traps with moderately large (or small) ratios of the trapping frequencies in the axial and the transverse directions. Finally, we apply our theory to Feshbach resonances for trapped atoms. Introducing in our description an energy-dependent scattering lengthmore » we calculate analytically the eigenenergies for two trapped atoms in the presence of a Feshbach resonance.« less

[Determination of high concentrations of rubidium chloride by ICP-OES].

PubMed

Zhong, Yuan; Sun, Bai; Li, Hai-jun; Wang, Tao; Li, Wu; Song, Peng-sheng

2015-01-01

The method of ICP-OES for the direct determination of high content of rubidium in rubidium chloride solutions was studied through mass dilution method and optimizing parameters of the instrument in the present paper. It can reduce the times of dilution and the error introduced by the dilution, and improve the accuracy of determination results of rubidium. Through analyzing the sensitivity of the three detection spectral lines for rubidium ion, linearly dependent coefficient and the relative errors of the determination results, the spectral line of Rb 780. 023 nm was chosen as the most suitable wavelength to measure the high content of rubidium in the rubidium chloride solutions. It was found that the instrument parameters of ICP-OES such as the atomizer flow, the pump speed and the high-frequency power are the major factors for the determination of rubidium ion in the rubidium chloride solutions. As we know instrument parameters of ICP-OES have an important influence on the atomization efficiency as well as the emissive power of the spectral lines of rubidium, they are considered as the significant factors for the determination of rubidium. The optimization parameters of the instrument were obtained by orthogonal experiments and further single factor experiment, which are 0. 60 L . min-1 of atomizer flow, 60 r . min-1 of pump speed, and 1 150 W of high-frequency power. The same experiments were repeated a week later with the optimization parameters of the instrument, and the relative errors of the determination results are less than 0. 5% when the concentration of rubidium chloride ranged from 0. 09% to 0. 18%. As the concentration of rubidium chloride is 0. 06%, the relative errors of the determination results are -1. 7%. The determination of lithium chloride and potassium chloride in the high concentration of the aqueous solutions was studied under the condition of similar instrument parameters. It was found by comparison that the determination results of lithium

Optical field induced rotation of polarization in rubidium atoms with the additional magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ummal Momeen, M.; Hu, Jianping

2017-11-01

We present the magnetic and optical field induced rotation of polarization in 87Rb and 85Rb atoms at geophysical magnetic fields. The line shape varies considerably in the presence of a magnetic field of the order of a few mG. Multiple Zeeman sublevel EIT systems involving rubidium atoms are investigated. Theoretical formalism of optical field induced polarization rotation in the presence of a magnetic field is discussed by considering all the Zeeman sublevels. It is noted that the ground state population distribution also plays a major role.

Ultracold molecule assembly with photonic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Ríos, Jesús; Kim, May E.; Hung, Chen-Lung

2017-12-01

Photoassociation (PA) is a powerful technique to synthesize molecules directly and continuously from cold and ultracold atoms into deeply bound molecular states. In freespace, however, PA efficiency is constrained by the number of spontaneous decay channels linking the initial excited molecular state to a sea of final (meta)stable rovibronic levels. Here, we propose a novel scheme based on molecules strongly coupled to a guided photonic mode in a photonic crystal waveguide that turns PA into a powerful tool for near deterministic formation of ultracold molecules in their ground rovibrational level. Our example shows a potential ground state molecule production efficiency > 90 % , and a saturation rate > {10}6 molecules per second. By combining state-of-the-art cold atomic and molecular physics with nanophotonic engineering, our scheme presents a novel experimental package for trapping, cooling, and optically manipulating ultracold molecules, thus opening up new possibilities in the direction of ultracold chemistry and quantum information.

One step beyond the electric dipole approximation: An experiment to observe the 5p → 6p forbidden transition in atomic rubidium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponciano-Ojeda, F.; Hernández-Gómez, S.; Mojica-Casique, C.; Ruiz-Martínez, E.; López-Hernández, O.; Colín-Rodríguez, R.; Ramírez-Martínez, F.; Flores-Mijangos, J.; Sahagún, D.; Jáuregui, R.; Jiménez-Mier, J.

2018-01-01

An advanced undergraduate experiment to study the 5 P 3 / 2 → 6 P 3 / 2 electric quadrupole transition in rubidium atoms is presented. The experiment uses two external cavity diode lasers, one operating at the D2 rubidium resonance line and the other built with commercial parts to emit at 911 nm. The lasers produce the 5 s → 5 p → 6 p excitation sequence in which the second step is the forbidden transition. Production of atoms in the 6 P 3 / 2 state is observed by detection of the 420 nm fluorescence that results from electric dipole decay into the ground state. Lines whose widths are significantly narrower than the Doppler width are used to study the hyperfine structure of the 6 P 3 / 2 state in rubidium. The spectra illustrate characteristics unique to electric dipole forbidden transitions, like the electric quadrupole selection rules; they are also used to show general aspects of two-color laser spectroscopy such as velocity selection and hyperfine pumping.

Localization in momentum space of ultracold atoms in incommensurate lattices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Larcher, M.; Dalfovo, F.; Modugno, M.

2011-01-15

We characterize the disorder-induced localization in momentum space for ultracold atoms in one-dimensional incommensurate lattices, according to the dual Aubry-Andre model. For low disorder the system is localized in momentum space, and the momentum distribution exhibits time-periodic oscillations of the relative intensity of its components. The behavior of these oscillations is explained by means of a simple three-mode approximation. We predict their frequency and visibility by using typical parameters of feasible experiments. Above the transition the system diffuses in momentum space, and the oscillations vanish when averaged over different realizations, offering a clear signature of the transition.

Nuclear-spin-independent short-range three-body physics in ultracold atoms.

PubMed

Gross, Noam; Shotan, Zav; Kokkelmans, Servaas; Khaykovich, Lev

2010-09-03

We investigate three-body recombination loss across a Feshbach resonance in a gas of ultracold 7Li atoms prepared in the absolute ground state and perform a comparison with previously reported results of a different nuclear-spin state [N. Gross, Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 163202 (2009)]. We extend the previously reported universality in three-body recombination loss across a Feshbach resonance to the absolute ground state. We show that the positions and widths of recombination minima and Efimov resonances are identical for both states which indicates that the short-range physics is nuclear-spin independent.

Transmission degradation and preservation for tapered optical fibers in rubidium vapor.

PubMed

Lai, Meimei; Franson, James D; Pittman, Todd B

2013-04-20

The use of subwavelength diameter tapered optical fibers (TOFs) in warm rubidium vapor has recently been identified as a promising system for realizing ultralow-power nonlinear optical effects. However, at the relatively high atomic densities needed for many of these experiments, rubidium atoms accumulating on the TOF surface can cause a significant loss of overall transmission through the fiber. Here we report direct measurements of the time scale associated with this transmission degradation for various rubidium density conditions. Transmission is affected almost immediately after the introduction of rubidium vapor into the system, and declines rapidly as the density is increased. More significantly, we show how a heating element designed to raise the TOF temperature can be used to reduce this transmission loss and dramatically extend the effective TOF transmission lifetime.

Fast, High-Precision Optical Polarization Synthesizer for Ultracold-Atom Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robens, Carsten; Brakhane, Stefan; Alt, Wolfgang; Meschede, Dieter; Zopes, Jonathan; Alberti, Andrea

2018-03-01

We present a technique for the precision synthesis of arbitrary polarization states of light with a high modulation bandwidth. Our approach consists of superimposing two laser light fields with the same wavelength, but with opposite circular polarizations, where the phase and the amplitude of each light field are individually controlled. We find that the polarization-synthesized beam reaches a degree of polarization of 99.99%, which is mainly limited by static spatial variations of the polarization state over the beam profile. We also find that the depolarization caused by temporal fluctuations of the polarization state is about 2 orders of magnitude smaller. In a recent work, Robens et al. [Low-Entropy States of Neutral Atoms in Polarization-Synthesized Optical Lattices, Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 065302 (2017), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.065302] demonstrated an application of the polarization synthesizer to create two independently controllable optical lattices which trap atoms depending on their internal spin state. We use ultracold atoms in polarization-synthesized optical lattices to give an independent, in situ demonstration of the performance of the polarization synthesizer.

Holographic method for site-resolved detection of a 2D array of ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffmann, Daniel Kai; Deissler, Benjamin; Limmer, Wolfgang; Hecker Denschlag, Johannes

2016-08-01

We propose a novel approach to site-resolved detection of a 2D gas of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. A near-resonant laser beam is coherently scattered by the atomic array, and after passing a lens its interference pattern is holographically recorded by superimposing it with a reference laser beam on a CCD chip. Fourier transformation of the recorded intensity pattern reconstructs the atomic distribution in the lattice with single-site resolution. The holographic detection method requires only about two hundred scattered photons per atom in order to achieve a high reconstruction fidelity of 99.9 %. Therefore, additional cooling during detection might not be necessary even for light atomic elements such as lithium. Furthermore, first investigations suggest that small aberrations of the lens can be post-corrected in imaging processing.

Generation of subnatural-linewdith biphotons from a hot rubidium atomic vapor cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Lingbang; Shu, Chi; Guo, Xianxin; Chen, Peng; Xiao, Yanhong; Jeong, Heejeong; Du, Shengwang

2017-04-01

We report the generation of narrowband entangled photon pairs (biphotons) from a hot atomic vapor cell. Making use of backward spontaneous four-wave mixing with electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), we produced subnatural-linewidth (1.9 MHz < 6 MHz) biphotons from a Doppler-broadened (0.5 GHz) hot (63 C) paraffin-coated rubidium 87 vapor cell. The biphoton coherence time is controable and can be tuned up to 100 ns by EIT. The uncorrelated photons from resonance Raman scattering are suppressed by a spatially separated and tailored optical pumping beam. The spectral brightness is as high as 14,000 s- 1 MHz- 1 . As compared with the cold-atom experiment , the hot atomic vapour cell configuration is much simpler for operation and maintenance, and it is a continuous biphoton source. Our demonstration may lead to miniature narrowband biphoton sources based on atomic vapour cells for practical quantum applications and engineering. The work was supported by Hong Kong Research Grants Council (Project No. 16301214), and in part by the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams. L.Z. acknowledges support from the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.

Conjugate gradient minimisation approach to generating holographic traps for ultracold atoms.

PubMed

Harte, Tiffany; Bruce, Graham D; Keeling, Jonathan; Cassettari, Donatella

2014-11-03

Direct minimisation of a cost function can in principle provide a versatile and highly controllable route to computational hologram generation. Here we show that the careful design of cost functions, combined with numerically efficient conjugate gradient minimisation, establishes a practical method for the generation of holograms for a wide range of target light distributions. This results in a guided optimisation process, with a crucial advantage illustrated by the ability to circumvent optical vortex formation during hologram calculation. We demonstrate the implementation of the conjugate gradient method for both discrete and continuous intensity distributions and discuss its applicability to optical trapping of ultracold atoms.

Experimental apparatus for overlapping a ground-state cooled ion with ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meir, Ziv; Sikorsky, Tomas; Ben-shlomi, Ruti; Akerman, Nitzan; Pinkas, Meirav; Dallal, Yehonatan; Ozeri, Roee

2018-03-01

Experimental realizations of charged ions and neutral atoms in overlapping traps are gaining increasing interest due to their wide research application ranging from chemistry at the quantum level to quantum simulations of solid state systems. In this paper, we describe our experimental system in which we overlap a single ground-state cooled ion trapped in a linear Paul trap with a cloud of ultracold atoms such that both constituents are in the ?K regime. Excess micromotion (EMM) currently limits atom-ion interaction energy to the mK energy scale and above. We demonstrate spectroscopy methods and compensation techniques which characterize and reduce the ion's parasitic EMM energy to the ?K regime even for ion crystals of several ions. We further give a substantial review on the non-equilibrium dynamics which governs atom-ion systems. The non-equilibrium dynamics is manifested by a power law distribution of the ion's energy. We also give an overview on the coherent and non-coherent thermometry tools which can be used to characterize the ion's energy distribution after single to many atom-ion collisions.

High-fidelity cluster state generation for ultracold atoms in an optical lattice.

PubMed

Inaba, Kensuke; Tokunaga, Yuuki; Tamaki, Kiyoshi; Igeta, Kazuhiro; Yamashita, Makoto

2014-03-21

We propose a method for generating high-fidelity multipartite spin entanglement of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice in a short operation time with a scalable manner, which is suitable for measurement-based quantum computation. To perform the desired operations based on the perturbative spin-spin interactions, we propose to actively utilize the extra degrees of freedom (DOFs) usually neglected in the perturbative treatment but included in the Hubbard Hamiltonian of atoms, such as, (pseudo-)charge and orbital DOFs. Our method simultaneously achieves high fidelity, short operation time, and scalability by overcoming the following fundamental problem: enhancing the interaction strength for shortening the operation time breaks the perturbative condition of the interaction and inevitably induces unwanted correlations among the spin and extra DOFs.

Realization of the manipulation of ultracold atoms with a reconfigurable nanomagnetic system of domain walls.

PubMed

West, Adam D; Weatherill, Kevin J; Hayward, Thomas J; Fry, Paul W; Schrefl, Thomas; Gibbs, Mike R J; Adams, Charles S; Allwood, Dan A; Hughes, Ifan G

2012-08-08

Planar magnetic nanowires have been vital to the development of spintronic technology. They provide an unparalleled combination of magnetic reconfigurability, controllability, and scalability, which has helped to realize such applications as racetrack memory and novel logic gates. Microfabricated atom optics benefit from all of these properties, and we present the first demonstration of the amalgamation of spintronic technology with ultracold atoms. A magnetic interaction is exhibited through the reflection of a cloud of (87)Rb atoms at a temperature of 10 μK, from a 2 mm × 2 mm array of nanomagnetic domain walls. In turn, the incident atoms approach the array at heights of the order of 100 nm and are thus used to probe magnetic fields at this distance.

Compact Optical Atomic Clock Based on a Two-Photon Transition in Rubidium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Kyle W.; Phelps, Gretchen; Lemke, Nathan D.; Bigelow, Matthew S.; Stuhl, Benjamin; Wojcik, Michael; Holt, Michael; Coddington, Ian; Bishop, Michael W.; Burke, John H.

2018-01-01

Extralaboratory atomic clocks are necessary for a wide array of applications (e.g., satellite-based navigation and communication). Building upon existing vapor-cell and laser technologies, we describe an optical atomic clock, designed around a simple and manufacturable architecture, that utilizes the 778-nm two-photon transition in rubidium and yields fractional-frequency instabilities of 4 ×10-13/√{τ (s ) } for τ from 1 to 10 000 s. We present a complete stability budget for this system and explore the required conditions under which a fractional-frequency instability of 1 ×10-15 can be maintained on long time scales. We provide a precise characterization of the leading sensitivities to external processes, including magnetic fields and fluctuations of the vapor-cell temperature and 778-nm laser power. The system is constructed primarily from commercially available components, an attractive feature from the standpoint of the commercialization and deployment of optical frequency standards.

Lattice-Assisted Spectroscopy: A Generalized Scanning Tunneling Microscope for Ultracold Atoms.

PubMed

Kantian, A; Schollwöck, U; Giamarchi, T

2015-10-16

We propose a scheme to measure the frequency-resolved local particle and hole spectra of any optical lattice-confined system of correlated ultracold atoms that offers single-site addressing and imaging, which is now an experimental reality. Combining perturbation theory and time-dependent density matrix renormalization group simulations, we quantitatively test and validate this approach of lattice-assisted spectroscopy on several one-dimensional example systems, such as the superfluid and Mott insulator, with and without a parabolic trap, and finally on edge states of the bosonic Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. We highlight extensions of our basic scheme to obtain an even wider variety of interesting and important frequency resolved spectra.

Ultracold Chemical Reactions of a Single Rydberg Atom in a Dense Gas

DOE PAGES

Schlagmüller, Michael; Liebisch, Tara Cubel; Engel, Felix; ...

2016-08-10

Within a dense environment (ρ ≈ 10 14 atoms/cm 3) at ultracold temperatures (T < 1 μK), a single atom excited to a Rydberg state acts as a reaction center for surrounding neutral atoms. At these temperatures, almost all neutral atoms within the Rydberg orbit are bound to the Rydberg core and interact with the Rydberg atom. We have studied the reaction rate and products for nS 87Rb Rydberg states, and we mainly observe a state change of the Rydberg electron to a high orbital angular momentum l, with the released energy being converted into kinetic energy of the Rydberg atom. Unexpectedly, the measurements show a threshold behavior at n ≈ 100 for the inelastic collision time leading to increased lifetimes of the Rydberg state independent of the densities investigated. Even at very high densities (ρ ≈ 4.8 x 10 14 cm -3), the lifetime of a Rydberg atom exceeds 10 μs at n > 140 compared to 1 μs at n = 90. In addition, a second observed reaction mechanism, namely, Rbmore » $$+\\atop{2}$$ molecule formation, was studied. Both reaction products are equally probable for n = 40, but the fraction of Rb + 2 created drops to below 10% for n ≥ 90.« less

Spin noise spectroscopy of rubidium atomic gas under resonant and non-resonant conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Jian; Shi, Ping; Qian, Xuan; Li, Wei; Ji, Yang

2016-11-01

The spin fluctuation in rubidium atom gas is studied via all-optical spin noise spectroscopy (SNS). Experimental results show that the integrated SNS signal and its full width at half maximum (FWHM) strongly depend on the frequency detuning of the probe light under resonant and non-resonant conditions. The total integrated SNS signal can be well fitted with a single squared Faraday rotation spectrum and the FWHM dependence may be related to the absorption profile of the sample. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 91321310 and 11404325) and the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2013CB922304).

Ultracold few fermionic atoms in needle-shaped double wells: spin chains and resonating spin clusters from microscopic Hamiltonians emulated via antiferromagnetic Heisenberg and t-J models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yannouleas, Constantine; Brandt, Benedikt B.; Landman, Uzi

2016-07-01

Advances with trapped ultracold atoms intensified interest in simulating complex physical phenomena, including quantum magnetism and transitions from itinerant to non-itinerant behavior. Here we show formation of antiferromagnetic ground states of few ultracold fermionic atoms in single and double well (DW) traps, through microscopic Hamiltonian exact diagonalization for two DW arrangements: (i) two linearly oriented one-dimensional, 1D, wells, and (ii) two coupled parallel wells, forming a trap of two-dimensional, 2D, nature. The spectra and spin-resolved conditional probabilities reveal for both cases, under strong repulsion, atomic spatial localization at extemporaneously created sites, forming quantum molecular magnetic structures with non-itinerant character. These findings usher future theoretical and experimental explorations into the highly correlated behavior of ultracold strongly repelling fermionic atoms in higher dimensions, beyond the fermionization physics that is strictly applicable only in the 1D case. The results for four atoms are well described with finite Heisenberg spin-chain and cluster models. The numerical simulations of three fermionic atoms in symmetric DWs reveal the emergent appearance of coupled resonating 2D Heisenberg clusters, whose emulation requires the use of a t-J-like model, akin to that used in investigations of high T c superconductivity. The highly entangled states discovered in the microscopic and model calculations of controllably detuned, asymmetric, DWs suggest three-cold-atom DW quantum computing qubits.

Contact interaction in an unitary ultracold Fermi gas

DOE PAGES

Pessoa, Renato; Gandolfi, Stefano; Vitiello, S. A.; ...

2015-12-16

An ultracold Fermi atomic gas at unitarity presents universal properties that in the dilute limit can be well described by a contact interaction. By employing a guiding function with correct boundary conditions and making simple modifications to the sampling procedure we are able to calculate the properties of a true contact interaction with the diffusion Monte Carlo method. The results are obtained with small variances. Our calculations for the Bertsch and contact parameters are in excellent agreement with published experiments. The possibility of using a more faithful description of ultracold atomic gases can help uncover additional features of ultracold atomicmore » gases. In addition, this work paves the way to perform quantum Monte Carlo calculations for other systems interacting with contact interactions, where the description using potentials with finite effective range might not be accurate.« less

Multiple coherent light scattering in ultracold rubidium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulatunga, P.; Sukenik, C. I.; Havey, M. D.; Kupriyanov, D. V.; Sokolov, I. M.

2001-11-01

We report investigation of multiple coherent light scattering from ^85Rb atoms confined in a magneto-optic trap. In a theoretical study of intensity enhancement of near-resonant backscattered light from cold ^85,87Rb atoms, we consider the dominant mode of double scattering only. Enhancement factors are calculated for all D1 and D2 hyperfine components and for both isotopes. In experimental studies, measurements are made of coherent backscattering of a low-intensity probe beam tuned near the F = 3 - F' = 4 transition in ^85Rb atoms. Polarization of backscattered light is determined by a backscattering polarimeter; the spatial distribution of light intensity is measured by a liquid-nitrogen cooled CCD camera set in the focal plane of the analyzing optics. The instrument has angular resolution of about 100 micro-radians, and a polarization analyzing power of roughly 1000. In this paper we describe the instrument details, including calibration procedures, and progress towards observation of atomic coherent backscattering.

Multiple coherent light scattering in ultracold rubidium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Havey, M. D.; Sukenik, C. I.; Kulatunga, P.; Kupriyanov, D. V.; Sokolov, I. M.

2001-05-01

We report investigation of multiple coherent light scattering from ^85Rb atoms confined in a magneto-optic trap. In a theoretical study of intensity enhancement of near-resonant backscattered light from cold ^85,87Rb atoms, we consider the dominant mode of double scattering only. Enhancement factors are calculated for all D1 and D2 hyperfine components and for both isotopes. In experimental studies, measurements are made of coherent backscattering of a low-intensity probe beam tuned near the F = 3 - F' = 4 transition in ^85Rb atoms. Polarization of backscattered light is determined by a backscattering polarimeter; the spatial distribution of light intensity is measured by a liquid-nitrogen cooled CCD camera set in the focal plane of the analyzing optics. The instrument has angular resolution of about 100 micro-radians, and a polarization analyzing power of roughly 1000. In this paper we describe the instrument details, including calibration procedures, and progress towards observation of atomic coherent backscattering.

EDITORIAL: Focus on Cold and Ultracold Molecules FOCUS ON COLD AND ULTRACOLD MOLECULES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carr, Lincoln D.; Ye, Jun

2009-05-01

Cold and ultracold molecules are the next wave of ultracold physics, giving rise to an exciting array of scientific opportunities, including many body physics for novel quantum phase transitions, new states of matter, and quantum information processing. Precision tests of fundamental physical laws benefit from the existence of molecular internal structure with exquisite control. The study of novel collision and reaction dynamics will open a new chapter of quantum chemistry. Cold molecules bring together researchers from a variety of fields, including atomic, molecular, and optical physics, chemistry and chemical physics, quantum information science and quantum simulations, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, and astrophysics, a truly remarkable synergy of scientific explorations. For the past decade there have been steady advances in direct cooling techniques, from buffer-gas cooling to cold molecular beams to electro- and magneto-molecular decelerators. These techniques have allowed a large variety of molecules to be cooled for pioneering studies. Recent amazing advances in experimental techniques combining the ultracold and the ultraprecise have furthermore brought molecules to the point of quantum degeneracy. These latter indirect cooling techniques magnetically associate atoms from a Bose-Einstein condensate and/or a quantum degenerate Fermi gas, transferring at 90% efficiency highly excited Fano-Feshbach molecules, which are on the order of 10 000 Bohr radii in size, to absolute ground state molecules just a few Bohr across. It was this latter advance, together with significant breakthroughs in internal state manipulations, which inspired us to coordinate this focus issue now, and is the reason why we say the next wave of ultracold physics has now arrived. Whether directly or indirectly cooled, heteronuclear polar molecules offer distinct new features in comparison to cold atoms, while sharing all of their advantages (purity, high coherence

Observation of Spin Polarons in a Tunable Fermi Liquid of Ultracold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zwierlein, Martin

2009-05-01

We have observed spin polarons, dressed spin down impurities in a spin up Fermi sea of ultracold atoms via tomographic RF spectroscopy. Feshbach resonances allow to freely tune the interactions between the two spin states involved. A single spin down atom immersed in a Fermi sea of spin up atoms can do one of two things: For strong attraction, it can form a molecule with exactly one spin up partner, but for weaker interaction it will spread its attraction and surround itself with a collection of majority atoms. This spin down atom dressed with a spin up cloud constitutes the spin- or Fermi polaron. We have observed a striking spectroscopic signature of this quasi-particle for various interaction strengths, a narrow peak in the spin down spectrum that emerges above a broad background. The spectra allow us to directly measure the polaron energy and the quasi-particle residue Z. The polarons are found to be only weakly interacting with each other, and can thus be identified with the quasi-particles of Landau's Fermi liquid theory. At a critical interaction strength, we observe a transition from spin one-half polarons to spin zero molecules. At this point the Fermi liquid undergoes a phase transition into a superfluid Bose liquid.

Understanding ultracold polar molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Julienne, Paul

2009-05-01

The successful production of a dense sample of ultracold ground state KRb polar molecules [1] opens the door to a new era of research with dipolar gases and lattices of such species. This feat was achieved by first associating a K and a Rb atom to make a weakly bound Feshbach molecule and then coherently transferring the population to the ground vibrational level of the molecule. This talk focuses on theoretical issues associated with making and using ultracold polar molecules, using KRb as an example [2]. Full understanding of this species and the processes by which it is made requires taking advantage of accurate molecular potentials [3], ab initio calculations [4], and the properties of the long-range potential. A highly accurate model is available for KRb for all bound states below the ground state separated atom limit and could be constructed for other species. The next step is to develop an understanding of the interactions between polar molecules, and their control in the ultracold domain. Understanding long-range interactions and threshold resonances will be crucial for future work. [1] K.-K. Ni, et al, Science 322, 231(2008). [2] P. S. Julienne, arXiv:0812:1233. [3] Pashov et al., Phys. Rev. A76, 022511 (2007). [4] S. Kotochigova, et al., arXiv:0901.1486.

Direct weak localization signature with ultracold atoms: the CBS revival

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Josse, Vincent

2016-05-01

Ultracold atomic systems in presence of disorder have attracted a lot of interest over the past decade, in particular to study the physics of Anderson localization (AL) in a renewed perspective. Landmark experiments have been demonstrated, in 1D and 3D geometries. However many challenges remain and new ideas have emerged, as for instance the search for original signatures of Anderson localization in momentum space. Here I will describe our progresses along that line where a weak localization effect has been directly observed, i.e. the Coherent Backscattering (CBS) phenomenon. In particular I will report on the recent observation of suppression and revival of CBS when a controlled dephasing kick is applied to the system. This observation demonstrates a novel and general method, introduced by T. Micklitz and coworkers, to study probe phase coherence in disordered systems by manipulating time reversal symmetry.

Interaction-induced conducting-non-conducting transition of ultra-cold atoms in one-dimensional optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chien, Chih-Chun; Gruss, Daniel; Di Ventra, Massimiliano; Zwolak, Michael

2013-06-01

The study of time-dependent, many-body transport phenomena is increasingly within reach of ultra-cold atom experiments. We show that the introduction of spatially inhomogeneous interactions, e.g., generated by optically controlled collisions, induce negative differential conductance in the transport of atoms in one-dimensional optical lattices. Specifically, we simulate the dynamics of interacting fermionic atoms via a micro-canonical transport formalism within both a mean-field and a higher-order approximation, as well as with a time-dependent density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG). For weakly repulsive interactions, a quasi-steady-state atomic current develops that is similar to the situation occurring for electronic systems subject to an external voltage bias. At the mean-field level, we find that this atomic current is robust against the details of how the interaction is switched on. Further, a conducting-non-conducting transition exists when the interaction imbalance exceeds some threshold from both our approximate and time-dependent DMRG simulations. This transition is preceded by the atomic equivalent of negative differential conductivity observed in transport across solid-state structures.

Tunable spin-orbit coupling for ultracold atoms in two-dimensional optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grusdt, Fabian; Li, Tracy; Bloch, Immanuel; Demler, Eugene

2017-06-01

Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is at the heart of many exotic band structures and can give rise to many-body states with topological order. Here we present a general scheme based on a combination of microwave driving and lattice shaking for the realization of two-dimensional SOC with ultracold atoms in systems with inversion symmetry. We show that the strengths of Rashba and Dresselhaus SOC can be independently tuned in a spin-dependent square lattice. More generally, our method can be used to open gaps between different spin states without breaking time-reversal symmetry. We demonstrate that this allows for the realization of topological insulators with nontrivial spin textures closely related to the Kane-Mele model.

Measurement of the Spatial Distribution of Ultracold Cesium Rydberg Atoms by Time-of-Flight Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jingkui; Zhang, Linjie; Zhang, Hao; Zhao, Jianming; Jia, Suotang

2015-09-01

We prepare nS (n = 49) cesium Rydberg atoms by two-photon excitation in a standard magnetooptical trap to obtain the spatial distribution of the Rydberg atoms by measuring the time-of-flight (TOF) spectra in the case of a low Rydberg density. We analyze the time evolution of the ultracold nS Rydberg atoms distribution by changing the delay time of the pulsed ionization field, defined as the duration from the moment of switching off the excitation lasers to the time of switching on the ionization field. TOF spectra of Rydberg atoms are observed as a function of the delay time and initial Rydberg atomic density. The corresponding full widths at half maximum (FWHMs) are obtained by fitting the spectra with a Gaussian profile. The FWHM decreases with increasing delay time at a relatively high Rydberg atom density (>5 × 107/cm3) because of the decreasing Coulomb interaction between released charges during their flight to the detector. The temperature of the cold atoms is deduced from the dependence of the TOF spectra on the delay time under the condition of low Rydberg atom density.

Particle statistics and lossy dynamics of ultracold atoms in optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yago Malo, J.; van Nieuwenburg, E. P. L.; Fischer, M. H.; Daley, A. J.

2018-05-01

Experimental control over ultracold quantum gases has made it possible to investigate low-dimensional systems of both bosonic and fermionic atoms. In closed one-dimensional systems there are many similarities in the dynamics of local quantities for spinless fermions and strongly interacting "hard-core" bosons, which on a lattice can be formalized via a Jordan-Wigner transformation. In this study, we analyze the similarities and differences for spinless fermions and hard-core bosons on a lattice in the presence of particle loss. The removal of a single fermion causes differences in local quantities compared with the bosonic case because of the different particle exchange symmetry in the two cases. We identify deterministic and probabilistic signatures of these dynamics in terms of local particle density, which could be measured in ongoing experiments with quantum gas microscopes.

Designing Ratchets in Ultra-cold Atoms for the Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hachtel, Andrew; Gillette, Matthew; Clements, Ethan; Zhong, Shan; Ducay, Rey; Bali, Samir

2014-05-01

We propose to perform ratchet experiments in cold Rubidium atoms using state-of-the-art home-built tapered amplifier and imaging systems. Our tapered amplifier system amplifies the output from home-built external cavity tunable diode lasers up to a factor 100 and costs less than 5,000, in contrast to commercial tapered amplifier systems, which cost upward of 20,000. We have developed an imaging system with LabVIEW integration, which allows for approximately 2 millisecond exposures and microsecond control of experimental parameters. Our imaging system also costs less than 5,000 in comparison to commercial options, which cost between 40-50,000. Progress toward implementation of a one-dimensional rocking ratchet is described. We gratefully acknowledge funding from the American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund and Miami University. We also acknowledge the Miami University Instrumentation Laboratory for their invaluable contributions.

Miniature atomic scalar magnetometer for space based on the rubidium isotope 87Rb.

PubMed

Korth, Haje; Strohbehn, Kim; Tejada, Francisco; Andreou, Andreas G; Kitching, John; Knappe, Svenja; Lehtonen, S John; London, Shaughn M; Kafel, Matiwos

2016-08-01

A miniature atomic scalar magnetometer based on the rubidium isotope 87 Rb was developed for operation in space. The instrument design implements both M x and M z mode operation and leverages a novel microelectromechanical system (MEMS) fabricated vapor cell and a custom silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit. The vapor cell has a volume of only 1 mm 3 so that it can be efficiently heated to its operating temperature by a specially designed, low-magnetic-field-generating resistive heater implemented in multiple metal layers of the transparent sapphire substrate of the SOS-CMOS chips. The SOS-CMOS chip also hosts the Helmholtz coil and associated circuitry to stimulate the magnetically sensitive atomic resonance and temperature sensors. The prototype instrument has a total mass of fewer than 500 g and uses less than 1 W of power, while maintaining a sensitivity of 15 pT/√Hz at 1 Hz, comparable to present state-of-the-art absolute magnetometers.

Dissipative preparation of squeezed states with ultracold atomic gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Gentaro; Caballar, Roland Cristopher F.; Diehl, Sebastian; Mäkelä, Harri; Oberthaler, Markus

2014-05-01

We present a dissipative quantum state preparation scheme for the creation of phase- and number-squeezed states. It utilizes ultracold atoms in a double-well configuration immersed in a background BEC acting as a dissipative quantum reservoir. We derive a master equation starting from microscopic physics, and show that squeezing develops on a time scale proportional to 1 / N , where N is the number of particles in the double well. This scaling, caused by bosonic enhancement, allows us to make the time scale for the creation of squeezed states very short. Effects of the dephasing which limits the lifetime of the squeezed states can be avoided by stroboscopically switching the driving off and on. We show that this approach leads to robust stationary squeezed states. We also provide the necessary ingredients for a potential experimental implementation. NRF (No. 2012R1A1A2008028), MPS, Korea MEST, FWF (No. F4006-N16), Alfred Kordelin Foundation, Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation, Emil Aaltonen Foundation, Academy of Finland (No. 251748).

Synthetic Spin-Orbit and Light Field Coupling in Ultra-cold Quantum Gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Lin

Ultra-cold quantum gases subjected to light-induced synthetic gauge potentials have become an emergent field of theoretical and experimental studies. Because of the novel application of two-photon Raman transitions, ultra-cold neutral atoms behave like charged particles in magnetic field. The Raman coupling naturally gives rise to an effective spin-orbit interaction which couples the atoms center-of-mass motion to its selected pseudo-spin degrees of freedom. Combined with unprecedented controllability of interactions, geometry, disorder strength, spectroscopy, and high resolution measurement of momentum distribution, etc., we are truly in an exciting era of fulfilling and going beyond Richard Feynman's vision. of realizing quantum simulators to better understand the quantum mechanical nature of the universe, manifested immensely in the ultra-cold regimes. In this dissertation, we present a collection of theoretical progresses made by the doctoral candidate and his colleagues and collaborators. From the past few years of work, we mainly address three aspects of the synthetic spin-orbit and light field induced coupling in ultracold quantum gases: a) The ground-state physics of singleparticle system, two-body bound states, and many-body systems, all of which are subjected to spin-orbit coupling originated from synthetic gauge potentials; b) The symmetry breaking, topological phase transition and quench dynamics, which are conveniently offered by the realized experimental setup; c) The proposal and implications of light field induced dynamical spin-orbit coupling for atoms inside optical cavity. Our work represents an important advancement of theoretical understanding to the active research frontier of ultra-cold atom physics with spin-orbit coupling.

Rubidium, sodium and ouabain interactions on the influx of rubidium in rat red blood cells

PubMed Central

Beaugé, L. A.; Ortíz, Olga

1970-01-01

1. The activation curve of rubidium influx by external rubidium in rat red cells showed an inflexion at a concentration around 0·2 mM. This inflexion point was displaced to the right by ouabain. 2. The removal of sodium from the external solution changed the characteristics of the activation curve of rubidium influx. At external rubidium below 0·5 mM the uptake increased whereas above that concentration there was marked reduction. Thus the sodium-free effect on rubidium uptake is dependent on the external rubidium concentration. 3. With 0·25 mM rubidium, the relationship between increase of rubidium influx and reduction of external sodium followed a more or less exponential function. All the increment was ouabain-sensitive. 4. With a rubidium concentration above 0·5 mM the reduction of the rubidium uptake, as sodium was removed, followed curves of complex shape. With 10 mM rubidium, when sodium was reduced from 5 mM to zero, there was an increase instead of a further reduction. These results suggest interactions of several effects. 5. The ouabain sensitivity of the rubidium influx in rat red cells is smaller than in other systems studied up to now. The dose—response curve was shifted to the right as the rubidium concentration increased and a plateau was obtained with rubidium only below 1 mM at 10-5 M ouabain. When plotted as a percentage of the maximal inhibition the points fell into the theoretical curve following a simple one reactant/one site reaction. 6. Ouabain inhibition seems to be a complex function of at least three variables: the concentration of the glycoside, the concentration of sodium and the concentration of rubidium. When sodium was absent, 10 μM rubidium was able to prevent, to a great extent, the inhibition produced by 10-5 and 10-4 M ouabain. PMID:5499809

Ultracold neutral plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyon, M.; Rolston, S. L.

2017-01-01

By photoionizing samples of laser-cooled atoms with laser light tuned just above the ionization limit, plasmas can be created with electron and ion temperatures below 10 K. These ultracold neutral plasmas have extended the temperature bounds of plasma physics by two orders of magnitude. Table-top experiments, using many of the tools from atomic physics, allow for the study of plasma phenomena in this new regime with independent control over the density and temperature of the plasma through the excitation process. Characteristic of these systems is an inhomogeneous density profile, inherited from the density distribution of the laser-cooled neutral atom sample. Most work has dealt with unconfined plasmas in vacuum, which expand outward at velocities of order 100 m/s, governed by electron pressure, and with lifetimes of order 100 μs, limited by stray electric fields. Using detection of charged particles and optical detection techniques, a wide variety of properties and phenomena have been observed, including expansion dynamics, collective excitations in both the electrons and ions, and collisional properties. Through three-body recombination collisions, the plasmas rapidly form Rydberg atoms, and clouds of cold Rydberg atoms have been observed to spontaneously avalanche ionize to form plasmas. Of particular interest is the possibility of the formation of strongly coupled plasmas, where Coulomb forces dominate thermal motion and correlations become important. The strongest impediment to strong coupling is disorder-induced heating, a process in which Coulomb energy from an initially disordered sample is converted into thermal energy. This restricts electrons to a weakly coupled regime and leaves the ions barely within the strongly coupled regime. This review will give an overview of the field of ultracold neutral plasmas, from its inception in 1999 to current work, including efforts to increase strong coupling and effects on plasma properties due to strong coupling.

Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values for Rubidium Compounds (Rubidium Chloride)

EPA Science Inventory

This is a PPRTV for Rubidium Compounds submitted to the Superfund Program.This assessment supports multiple isomers (see related links) and this page is about the chemical rubidium chloride, CASRN 7791-11-9.

Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values for Rubidium Compounds (Rubidium Iodide)

EPA Science Inventory

This is a PPRTV for Rubidium Compounds submitted to the Superfund Program.This assessment supports multiple isomers (see related links) and this page is about the chemical rubidium iodide, CASRN 7790-29-6.

Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values for Rubidium Compounds (Rubidium Hydroxide)

EPA Science Inventory

This is a PPRTV for Rubidium Compounds submitted to the Superfund Program.This assessment supports multiple isomers (see related links) and this page is about the chemical rubidium hydroxide, CASRN 1310-82-3.

Heating of trapped ultracold atoms by collapse dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laloë, Franck; Mullin, William J.; Pearle, Philip

2014-11-01

The continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) theory alters the Schrödinger equation. It describes wave-function collapse as a dynamical process instead of an ill-defined postulate, thereby providing macroscopic uniqueness and solving the so-called measurement problem of standard quantum theory. CSL contains a parameter λ giving the collapse rate of an isolated nucleon in a superposition of two spatially separated states and, more generally, characterizing the collapse time for any physical situation. CSL is experimentally testable, since it predicts some behavior different from that predicted by standard quantum theory. One example is the narrowing of wave functions, which results in energy imparted to particles. Here we consider energy given to trapped ultracold atoms. Since these are the coldest samples under experimental investigation, it is worth inquiring how they are affected by the CSL heating mechanism. We examine the CSL heating of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in contact with its thermal cloud. Of course, other mechanisms also provide heat and also particle loss. From varied data on optically trapped cesium BECs, we present an energy audit for known heating and loss mechanisms. The result provides an upper limit on CSL heating and thereby an upper limit on the parameter λ . We obtain λ ≲1 (±1 ) ×10-7 s-1.

Universality and chaotic dynamics in reactive scattering of ultracold KRb molecules with K atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ming; Makrides, Constantinos; Petrov, Alexander; Kotochigova, Svetlana; Croft, James F. E.; Balakrishnan, Naduvalath; Kendrick, Brian K.

2017-04-01

We study the benchmark reaction between the most-celebrated ultracold polar molecule, KRb, with an ultracold K atom. For the first time we map out an accurate ab initio ground potential energy surface of the K2Rb complex in full dimensionality and performed a numerically exact quantum-mechanical calculation of reaction dynamics based on coupled-channels approach in hyperspherical coordinates. An analysis of the adiabatic hyperspherical potentials reveals a chaotic distribution for the short-range complex that plays a key role in governing the reaction outcome. The equivalent distribution for a lighter collisional system with a smaller density of states (here the Li2Yb trimer) only shows random behavior. We find an extreme sensitivity of our chaotic system to a small perturbation associated with the weak non-additive three-body potential contribution that does not affect the total reaction rate coefficient but leads to a significant change in the rotational distribution in the product molecule. In both cases the distribution of these rates is random or Poissonian. This work was supported in part by NSF Grant PHY-1505557 (N.B.) and PHY-1619788 (S.K.), ARO MURI Grant No. W911NF-12-1-0476 (N.B. & S.K.), and DOE LDRD Grant No. 20170221ER (B.K.).

Nonlinear Spectroscopy of Rubidium: An Undergraduate Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacques, V.; Hingant, B.; Allafort, A.; Pigeard, M.; Roch, J. F.

2009-01-01

In this paper, we describe two complementary nonlinear spectroscopy methods which both allow one to achieve Doppler-free spectra of atomic gases. First, saturated absorption spectroscopy is used to investigate the structure of the 5S[subscript 1/2] [right arrow] 5P[subscript 3/2] transition in rubidium. Using a slightly modified experimental…

Evolution from Rydberg gas to ultracold plasma in a supersonic atomic beam of Xe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hung, J.; Sadeghi, H.; Schulz-Weiling, M.; Grant, E. R.

2014-08-01

A Rydberg gas of xenon, entrained in a supersonic atomic beam, evolves slowly to form an ultracold plasma. In the early stages of this evolution, when the free-electron density is low, Rydberg atoms undergo long-range \\ell -mixing collisions, yielding states of high orbital angular momentum. The development of high-\\ell states promotes dipole-dipole interactions that help to drive Penning ionization. The electron density increases until it reaches the threshold for avalanche. Ninety μs after the production of a Rydberg gas with the initial state, {{n}_{0}}{{\\ell }_{0}}=42d, a 432 V cm-1 electrostatic pulse fails to separate charge in the excited volume, an effect which is ascribed to screening by free electrons. Photoexcitation cross sections, observed rates of \\ell -mixing, and a coupled-rate-equation model simulating the onset of the electron-impact avalanche point consistently to an initial Rydberg gas density of 5\\times {{10}^{8}}\\;c{{m}^{-3}}.

Detecting Friedel oscillations in ultracold Fermi gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riechers, Keno; Hueck, Klaus; Luick, Niclas; Lompe, Thomas; Moritz, Henning

2017-09-01

Investigating Friedel oscillations in ultracold gases would complement the studies performed on solid state samples with scanning-tunneling microscopes. In atomic quantum gases interactions and external potentials can be tuned freely and the inherently slower dynamics allow to access non-equilibrium dynamics following a potential or interaction quench. Here, we examine how Friedel oscillations can be observed in current ultracold gas experiments under realistic conditions. To this aim we numerically calculate the amplitude of the Friedel oscillations which are induced by a potential barrier in a 1D Fermi gas and compare it to the expected atomic and photonic shot noise in a density measurement. We find that to detect Friedel oscillations the signal from several thousand one-dimensional systems has to be averaged. However, as up to 100 parallel one-dimensional systems can be prepared in a single run with present experiments, averaging over about 100 images is sufficient.

Mineral Commodity Profiles -- Rubidium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Butterman, W.C.; Reese, R.G.

2003-01-01

Overview -- Rubidium is a soft, ductile, silvery-white metal that melts at 39.3 ?C. One of the alkali metals, it is positioned in group 1 (or IA) of the periodic table between potassium and cesium. Naturally occurring rubidium is slightly radioactive. Rubidium is an extremely reactive metal--it ignites spontaneously in the presence of air and decomposes water explosively, igniting the liberated hydrogen. Because of its reactivity, the metal and several of its compounds are hazardous materials, and must be stored and transported in isolation from possible reactants. Although rubidium is more abundant in the earth?s crust than copper, lead, or zinc, it forms no minerals of its own, and is, or has been, produced in small quantities as a byproduct of the processing of cesium and lithium ores taken from a few small deposits in Canada, Namibia, and Zambia. In the United States, the metal and its compounds are produced from imported raw materials by at least one company, the Cabot Corporation (Cabot, 2003). Rubidium is used interchangeably or together with cesium in many uses. Its principal application is in specialty glasses used in fiber optic telecommunication systems. Rubidium?s photoemissive properties have led to its use in night-vision devices, photoelectric cells, and photomultiplier tubes. It has several uses in medical science, such as in positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging, the treatment of epilepsy, and the ultracentrifugal separation of nucleic acids and viruses. A dozen or more other uses are known, which include use as a cocatalyst for several organic reactions and in frequency reference oscillators for telecommunications network synchronization. The market for rubidium is extremely small, amounting to 1 to 2 metric tons per year (t/yr) in the United States. World resources are vast compared with demand.

Coherent Spectroscopy of Ultra-Cold Mercury for the UV to VUV

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-20

AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2015-0388 COHERENT SPECTROSCOPY OF ULTRA-COLD MERCURY FOR THE UV TO VUV R Jason Jones ARIZONA UNIV BOARD OF REGENTS TUCSON Final...TITLE AND SUBTITLE COHERENT SPECTROSCOPY OF ULTRA-COLD MERCURY FOR THE UV TO VUV 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER FA9550-09-1-0563 5c. PROGRAM...NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Distribution A 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT Narrow UV transitions in atomic Hg can be utilized

Forbidden 2P–nP and 2P–nF transitions in the energy spectrum of ultracold Rydberg lithium-7 atoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zelener, B. B., E-mail: bobozel@mail.ru; Saakyan, S. A.; Sautenkov, V. A.

2016-04-15

Forbidden 2P–nP and 2P–nF transitions in the ranges of the principal quantum number n = 42–114 and n = 38–48 have been detected in the optical spectra of ultracold highly excited lithium-7 atoms. The presence of forbidden transitions is due to induced external electric fields. The quantum defects and ionization energy obtained in various experiments and predicted theoretically have been discussed.

Observation of cooperative Mie scattering from an ultracold atomic cloud

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bender, H.; Stehle, C.; Slama, S.

Scattering of light at a distribution of scatterers is an intrinsically cooperative process, which means that the scattering rate and the angular distribution of the scattered light are essentially governed by bulk properties of the distribution, such as its size, shape, and density, although local disorder and density fluctuations may have an important impact on the cooperativity. Via measurements of the radiation pressure force exerted by a far-detuned laser beam on a very small and dense cloud of ultracold atoms, we are able to identify the respective roles of superradiant acceleration of the scattering rate and of Mie scattering inmore » the cooperative process. They lead, respectively, to a suppression or an enhancement of the radiation pressure force. We observe a maximum in the radiation pressure force as a function of the phase shift induced in the incident laser beam by the cloud's refractive index. The maximum marks the borderline of the validity of the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans approximation from a regime, where Mie scattering is more complex. Our observations thus help to clarify the intricate relationship between Rayleigh scattering of light at a coarse-grained ensemble of individual scatterers and Mie scattering at the bulk density distribution.« less

Rubidium distribution at atomic scale in high efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilalta-Clemente, Arantxa; Raghuwanshi, Mohit; Duguay, Sébastien; Castro, Celia; Cadel, Emmanuel; Pareige, Philippe; Jackson, Philip; Wuerz, Roland; Hariskos, Dimitrios; Witte, Wolfram

2018-03-01

The introduction of a rubidium fluoride post deposition treatment (RbF-PDT) for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorber layers has led to a record efficiency up to 22.6% for thin-film solar cell technology. In the present work, high efficiency CIGS samples with RbF-PDT have been investigated by atom probe tomography (APT) to reveal the atomic distribution of all alkali elements present in CIGS layers and compared with non-treated samples. A Scanning Electron Microscopy Dual beam station (Focused Ion Beam-Gas Injection System) as well as Transmission Kikuchi diffraction is used for atom probe sample preparation and localization of the grain boundaries (GBs) in the area of interest. The analysis of the 3D atomic scale APT reconstructions of CIGS samples with RbF-PDT shows that inside grains, Rb is under the detection limit, but the Na concentration is enhanced as compared to the reference sample without Rb. At the GBs, a high concentration of Rb reaching 1.5 at. % was found, and Na and K (diffusing from the glass substrate) are also segregated at GBs but at lower concentrations as compared to Rb. The intentional introduction of Rb leads to significant changes in the chemical composition of CIGS matrix and at GBs, which might contribute to improve device efficiency.

Real-space imaging of a topologically protected edge state with ultracold atoms in an amplitude-chirped optical lattice

PubMed Central

Leder, Martin; Grossert, Christopher; Sitta, Lukas; Genske, Maximilian; Rosch, Achim; Weitz, Martin

2016-01-01

To describe a mobile defect in polyacetylene chains, Su, Schrieffer and Heeger formulated a model assuming two degenerate energy configurations that are characterized by two different topological phases. An immediate consequence was the emergence of a soliton-type edge state located at the boundary between two regions of different configurations. Besides giving first insights in the electrical properties of polyacetylene materials, interest in this effect also stems from its close connection to states with fractional charge from relativistic field theory. Here, using a one-dimensional optical lattice for cold rubidium atoms with a spatially chirped amplitude, we experimentally realize an interface between two spatial regions of different topological order in an atomic physics system. We directly observe atoms confined in the edge state at the intersection by optical real-space imaging and characterize the state as well as the size of the associated energy gap. Our findings hold prospects for the spectroscopy of surface states in topological matter and for the quantum simulation of interacting Dirac systems. PMID:27767054

Analytical Wave Functions for Ultracold Collisions.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavagnero, M. J.

1998-05-01

Secular perturbation theory of long-range interactions(M. J. Cavagnero, PRA 50) 2841, (1994). has been generalized to yield accurate wave functions for near threshold processes, including low-energy scattering processes of interest at ultracold temperatures. In particular, solutions of Schrödinger's equation have been obtained for motion in the combined r-6, r-8, and r-10 potentials appropriate for describing an utlracold collision of two neutral ground state atoms. Scattering lengths and effective ranges appropriate to such potentials are readily calculated at distances comparable to the LeRoy radius, where exchange forces can be neglected, thereby eliminating the need to integrate Schrödinger's equation to large internuclear distances. Our method yields accurate base pair solutions well beyond the energy range of effective range theories, making possible the application of multichannel quantum defect theory [MQDT] and R-matrix methods to the study of ultracold collisions.

Quenching of para-H{sub 2} with an ultracold antihydrogen atom H{sub 1s}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sultanov, Renat A.; Guster, Dennis; Adhikari, Sadhan K.

2010-02-15

In this work we report the results of calculation for quantum-mechanical rotational transitions in molecular hydrogen, H{sub 2}, induced by an ultracold ground-state antihydrogen atom H{sub 1s}. The calculations are accomplished using a nonreactive close-coupling quantum-mechanical approach. The H{sub 2} molecule is treated as a rigid rotor. The total elastic-scattering cross section {sigma}{sub el}({epsilon}) at energy {epsilon}, state-resolved rotational transition cross sections {sigma}{sub jj}{sup '}({epsilon}) between states j and j{sup '}, and corresponding thermal rate coefficients k{sub jj}{sup '}(T) are computed in the temperature range 0.004 K < or approx. T < or approx. 4 K. Satisfactory agreement with othermore » calculations (variational) has been obtained for {sigma}{sub el}({epsilon}).« less

Photodissociation of ultracold diatomic strontium molecules with quantum state control.

PubMed

McDonald, M; McGuyer, B H; Apfelbeck, F; Lee, C-H; Majewska, I; Moszynski, R; Zelevinsky, T

2016-07-07

Chemical reactions at ultracold temperatures are expected to be dominated by quantum mechanical effects. Although progress towards ultracold chemistry has been made through atomic photoassociation, Feshbach resonances and bimolecular collisions, these approaches have been limited by imperfect quantum state selectivity. In particular, attaining complete control of the ground or excited continuum quantum states has remained a challenge. Here we achieve this control using photodissociation, an approach that encodes a wealth of information in the angular distribution of outgoing fragments. By photodissociating ultracold (88)Sr2 molecules with full control of the low-energy continuum, we access the quantum regime of ultracold chemistry, observing resonant and nonresonant barrier tunnelling, matter-wave interference of reaction products and forbidden reaction pathways. Our results illustrate the failure of the traditional quasiclassical model of photodissociation and instead are accurately described by a quantum mechanical model. The experimental ability to produce well-defined quantum continuum states at low energies will enable high-precision studies of long-range molecular potentials for which accurate quantum chemistry models are unavailable, and may serve as a source of entangled states and coherent matter waves for a wide range of experiments in quantum optics.

Ultracold Atoms in a Square Lattice with Spin-Orbit Coupling: Charge Order, Superfluidity, and Topological Signatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenberg, Peter; Shi, Hao; Zhang, Shiwei

2017-12-01

We present an ab initio, numerically exact study of attractive fermions in square lattices with Rashba spin-orbit coupling. The ground state of this system is a supersolid, with coexisting charge and superfluid order. The superfluid is composed of both singlet and triplet pairs induced by spin-orbit coupling. We perform large-scale calculations using the auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo method to provide the first full, quantitative description of the charge, spin, and pairing properties of the system. In addition to characterizing the exotic physics, our results will serve as essential high-accuracy benchmarks for the intense theoretical and especially experimental efforts in ultracold atoms to realize and understand an expanding variety of quantum Hall and topological superconductor systems.

Extraction of rubidium from natural resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ertan, Bengü

2017-04-01

Rubidium is a rare alkali metal in the first group of periodic table. It has some exclusive properties like softness, ductility, malleability, strong chemical and photo-emissive activity, low melting point, easy ionization. So it is used many of applications such that optical and laser technology, electronics, telecommunications, biomedical, space technology, academic research especially quantum mechanics-based computing devices. Attention of rubidium in relation to its uses will increase in the near future. Rubidium does not have any mineral that is the main component. It is produced as minor quantities from lithium or cesium-rich minerals and natural brines. However, there are a few researches on the extraction of rubidium from mine tailings. It is difficult extraction or concentration of rubidium from these resources. Because they require a series of physical and chemical treatments and cost expensive. Efficient, cheap and friendly of environment methods for the recovery of this metal are being investigated.

Observation of the 5 p3 /2→6 p3 /2 electric-dipole-forbidden transition in atomic rubidium using optical-optical double-resonance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponciano-Ojeda, F.; Hernández-Gómez, S.; López-Hernández, O.; Mojica-Casique, C.; Colín-Rodríguez, R.; Ramírez-Martínez, F.; Flores-Mijangos, J.; Sahagún, D.; Jáuregui, R.; Jiménez-Mier, J.

2015-10-01

Direct evidence of excitation of the 5 p3 /2→6 p3 /2 electric-dipole-forbidden transition in atomic rubidium is presented. The experiments were performed in a room-temperature rubidium cell with continuous-wave external cavity diode lasers. Optical-optical double-resonance spectroscopy with counterpropagating beams allows the detection of the nondipole transition free of Doppler broadening. The 5 p3 /2 state is prepared by excitation with a laser locked to the maximum F cyclic transition of the D2 line, and the forbidden transition is produced by excitation with a 911 nm laser. Production of the forbidden transition is monitored by detection of the 420 nm fluorescence that results from decay of the 6 p3 /2 state. Spectra with three narrow lines (≈13 MHz FWHM) with the characteristic F -1 , F , and F +1 splitting of the 6 p3 /2 hyperfine structure in both rubidium isotopes were obtained. The results are in very good agreement with a direct calculation that takes into account the 5 s →5 p3 /2 preparation dynamics, the 5 p3 /2→6 p3 /2 nondipole excitation geometry, and the 6 p3 /2→5 s1 /2 decay. The comparison also shows that the electric-dipole-forbidden transition is a very sensitive probe of the preparation dynamics.

Quantum Simulation of the Hubbard Model Using Ultra-Cold Atoms

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-11-01

explore phases that do not yet have analogous behavior in QCD . ..,.. Ultracold fennions in optical lattices . The evolution from BCS to BEC...trimer states. The three-component Fermi gas we have created will, when confined in an optical lattice , be an experimental realization of the SU(3...chromodynamics ( QCD ): the color superconducting phase and the formation of baryons. Our initial investigations have focused on understanding three-body

Superfluidity and BCS-BEC crossover of ultracold atomic Fermi gases in mixed dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Leifeng; Chen, Qijin

Atomic Fermi gases have been under active investigation in the past decade. Here we study the superfluid and pairing phenomena of a two-component ultracold atomic Fermi gas in the presence of mixed dimensionality, in which one component is confined on a 1D optical lattice whereas the other is free in the 3D continuum. We assume a short-range pairing interaction and determine the superfluid transition temperature Tc and the phase diagram for the entire BCS-BEC crossover, using a pairing fluctuation theory which includes self-consistently the contributions of finite momentum pairs. We find that, as the lattice depth increases and the lattice spacing decreases, the behavior of Tc becomes very similar to that of a population imbalance Fermi gas in a simple 3D continuum. There is no superfluidity even at T = 0 below certain threshold of pairing strength in the BCS regime. Nonmonotonic Tc behavior and intermediate temperature superfluidity emerge, and for deep enough lattice, the Tc curve will split into two parts. Implications for experiment will be discussed. References: 1. Q.J. Chen, Ioan Kosztin, B. Janko, and K. Levin, Phys. Rev. B 59, 7083 (1999). 2. Chih-Chun Chien, Qijin Chen, Yan He, and K. Levin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 090402(2006). Work supported by NSF of China and the National Basic Research Program of China.

High precision optical spectroscopy and quantum state selected photodissociation of ultracold 88Sr2 molecules in an optical lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, Mickey Patrick

Over the past several decades, rapid progress has been made toward the accurate characterization and control of atoms, made possible largely by the development of narrow-linewidth lasers and techniques for trapping and cooling at ultracold temperatures. Extending this progress to molecules will have exciting implications for chemistry, condensed matter physics, and precision tests of physics beyond the Standard Model. These possibilities are all consequences of the richness of molecular structure, which is governed by physics substantially different from that characterizing atomic structure. This same richness of structure, however, increases the complexity of any molecular experiment manyfold over its atomic counterpart, magnifying the difficulty of everything from trapping and cooling to the comparison of theory with experiment. This thesis describes work performed over the past six years to establish the state of the art in manipulation and quantum control of ultracold molecules. Our molecules are produced via photoassociation of ultracold strontium atoms followed by spontaneous decay to a stable ground state. We describe a thorough set of measurements characterizing the rovibrational structure of very weakly bound (and therefore very large) 88Sr2 molecules from several different perspectives, including determinations of binding energies; linear, quadratic, and higher order Zeeman shifts; transition strengths between bound states; and lifetimes of narrow subradiant states. The physical intuition gained in these experiments applies generally to weakly bound diatomic molecules, and suggests extensive applications in precision measurement and metrology. In addition, we present a detailed analysis of the thermally broadened spectroscopic lineshape of molecules in a non-magic optical lattice trap, showing how such lineshapes can be used to directly determine the temperature of atoms or molecules in situ, addressing a long-standing problem in ultracold physics

Collisional Cooling of Light Ions by Cotrapped Heavy Atoms.

PubMed

Dutta, Sourav; Sawant, Rahul; Rangwala, S A

2017-03-17

We experimentally demonstrate cooling of trapped ions by collisions with cotrapped, higher-mass neutral atoms. It is shown that the lighter ^{39}K^{+} ions, created by ionizing ^{39}K atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), when trapped in an ion trap and subsequently allowed to cool by collisions with ultracold, heavier ^{85}Rb atoms in a MOT, exhibit a longer trap lifetime than without the localized ^{85}Rb MOT atoms. A similar cooling of trapped ^{85}Rb^{+} ions by ultracold ^{133}Cs atoms in a MOT is also demonstrated in a different experimental configuration to validate this mechanism of ion cooling by localized and centered ultracold neutral atoms. Our results suggest that the cooling of ions by localized cold atoms holds for any mass ratio, thereby enabling studies on a wider class of atom-ion systems irrespective of their masses.

Miniature Dual-Mode Absolute Scalar Magnetometer Based on the Rubidium Isotope 87Rb

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korth, H.; Strohbehn, K.; Kitching, J.

2016-10-01

Miniaturized absolute scalar magnetometer based on the rubidium isotope 87Rb takes advantage of recent breakthroughs in micro-fabricated atomic devices, has a total mass of 210 g and uses <1 W of power, and maintains a sensitivity of 0.1 nT rms.

Magnetic-film atom chip with 10 μm period lattices of microtraps for quantum information science with Rydberg atoms.

PubMed

Leung, V Y F; Pijn, D R M; Schlatter, H; Torralbo-Campo, L; La Rooij, A L; Mulder, G B; Naber, J; Soudijn, M L; Tauschinsky, A; Abarbanel, C; Hadad, B; Golan, E; Folman, R; Spreeuw, R J C

2014-05-01

We describe the fabrication and construction of a setup for creating lattices of magnetic microtraps for ultracold atoms on an atom chip. The lattice is defined by lithographic patterning of a permanent magnetic film. Patterned magnetic-film atom chips enable a large variety of trapping geometries over a wide range of length scales. We demonstrate an atom chip with a lattice constant of 10 μm, suitable for experiments in quantum information science employing the interaction between atoms in highly excited Rydberg energy levels. The active trapping region contains lattice regions with square and hexagonal symmetry, with the two regions joined at an interface. A structure of macroscopic wires, cutout of a silver foil, was mounted under the atom chip in order to load ultracold (87)Rb atoms into the microtraps. We demonstrate loading of atoms into the square and hexagonal lattice sections simultaneously and show resolved imaging of individual lattice sites. Magnetic-film lattices on atom chips provide a versatile platform for experiments with ultracold atoms, in particular for quantum information science and quantum simulation.

Magnetic-film atom chip with 10 μm period lattices of microtraps for quantum information science with Rydberg atoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leung, V. Y. F.; Complex Photonic Systems; Pijn, D. R. M.

2014-05-15

We describe the fabrication and construction of a setup for creating lattices of magnetic microtraps for ultracold atoms on an atom chip. The lattice is defined by lithographic patterning of a permanent magnetic film. Patterned magnetic-film atom chips enable a large variety of trapping geometries over a wide range of length scales. We demonstrate an atom chip with a lattice constant of 10 μm, suitable for experiments in quantum information science employing the interaction between atoms in highly excited Rydberg energy levels. The active trapping region contains lattice regions with square and hexagonal symmetry, with the two regions joined atmore » an interface. A structure of macroscopic wires, cutout of a silver foil, was mounted under the atom chip in order to load ultracold {sup 87}Rb atoms into the microtraps. We demonstrate loading of atoms into the square and hexagonal lattice sections simultaneously and show resolved imaging of individual lattice sites. Magnetic-film lattices on atom chips provide a versatile platform for experiments with ultracold atoms, in particular for quantum information science and quantum simulation.« less

A vacuum gauge based on an ultracold gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makhalov, V. B.; Turlapov, A. V.

2017-06-01

We report the design and application of a primary vacuum gauge based on an ultracold gas of atoms in an optical dipole trap. The pressure is calculated from the confinement time for atoms in the trap. The relationship between pressure and confinement time is established from the first principles owing to elimination of all channels introducing losses, except for knocking out an atom from the trap due to collisions with a residual gas particle. The method requires the knowledge of the gas chemical composition in the vacuum chamber, and, in the absence of this information, the systematic error is less than that of the ionisation sensor.

Observation of symmetry-protected topological band with ultracold fermions

PubMed Central

Song, Bo; Zhang, Long; He, Chengdong; Poon, Ting Fung Jeffrey; Hajiyev, Elnur; Zhang, Shanchao; Liu, Xiong-Jun; Jo, Gyu-Boong

2018-01-01

Symmetry plays a fundamental role in understanding complex quantum matter, particularly in classifying topological quantum phases, which have attracted great interests in the recent decade. An outstanding example is the time-reversal invariant topological insulator, a symmetry-protected topological (SPT) phase in the symplectic class of the Altland-Zirnbauer classification. We report the observation for ultracold atoms of a noninteracting SPT band in a one-dimensional optical lattice and study quench dynamics between topologically distinct regimes. The observed SPT band can be protected by a magnetic group and a nonlocal chiral symmetry, with the band topology being measured via Bloch states at symmetric momenta. The topology also resides in far-from-equilibrium spin dynamics, which are predicted and observed in experiment to exhibit qualitatively distinct behaviors in quenching to trivial and nontrivial regimes, revealing two fundamental types of spin-relaxation dynamics related to bulk topology. This work opens the way to expanding the scope of SPT physics with ultracold atoms and studying nonequilibrium quantum dynamics in these exotic systems. PMID:29492457

Photoionization bands of rubidium molecule

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rakić, M.; Pichler, G.

2018-03-01

We studied the absorption spectrum of dense rubidium vapor generated in a T-type sapphire cell with a special emphasis on the structured photoionization continuum observed in the 200-300 nm spectral region. The photoionization spectrum has a continuous atomic contribution with a pronounced Seaton-Cooper minimum at about 250 nm and a molecular photoionization contribution with many broad bands. We discuss the possible origin of the photoionization bands as stemming from the absorption from the ground state of the Rb2 molecule to excited states of Rb2+* and to doubly excited autoionizing states of Rb2** molecule. All these photoionization bands are located above the Rb+ and Rb2+ ionization limits.

The Rubidium-Crystal Oscillator Hybrid Development Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vig, J. R.; Rosati, V. J.

1984-01-01

The rubidium-crystal oscillator hybrid (RbXO) will make precise time available to systems that lack the power required by atomic frequency standards. The RbXO consists of two subassemblies in separate enclosures. One contains a small rubidium frequency standard (RFS) without its internal oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO), plus interface circuits. The second contains a low-power OCXO, and additional interface circuits. The OCXO is on continuously. Periodically, e.g., once a week, the user system applies power to the RFS. After the few necessary for the warmup of the RFS, the interface circuits adjust the frequency of the OCXO to the RFS reference, then shut off the RFS. The OCXO enclosure is separable from the RFS enclosure so that manpacks will be able to operate with minimum size, weight, and power consumption, while having the accuracy of the RFS for the duration of a mission. A prototype RbXO's RFS has operated successfully for 4200 on-off cycles. Parallel efforts on a Phase 2 RbXO development are in progress. Two sources for the RbXO are scheduled to be available during 1986.

Crystal structure of rubidium methyl-diazo-tate.

PubMed

Grassl, Tobias; Korber, Nikolaus

2017-02-01

The title compound, Rb + ·H 3 CN 2 O - , has been crystallized in liquid ammonia as a reaction product of the reductive ammonolysis of the natural compound streptozocin. Elemental rubidium was used as reduction agent as it is soluble in liquid ammonia, forming a blue solution. Reductive bond cleavage in biogenic materials under kinetically controlled conditions offers a new approach to gain access to sustainably produced raw materials. The anion is nearly planar [dihedral angle O-N-N-C = -0.4 (2)°]. The Rb + cation has a coordination number of seven, and coordinates to five anions. One anion is bound via both its N atoms, one by both O and N, two anions are bound by only their O atoms, and the last is bound via the N atom adjacent to the methyl group. The diazo-tate anions are bridged by cations and do not exhibit any direct contacts with each other. The cations form corrugated layers that propagate in the (-101) plane.

Probing and Manipulating Ultracold Fermi Superfluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Lei

Ultracold Fermi gas is an exciting field benefiting from atomic physics, optical physics and condensed matter physics. It covers many aspects of quantum mechanics. Here I introduce some of my work during my graduate study. We proposed an optical spectroscopic method based on electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) as a generic probing tool that provides valuable insights into the nature of Fermi paring in ultracold Fermi gases of two hyperfine states. This technique has the capability of allowing spectroscopic response to be determined in a nearly non-destructive manner and the whole spectrum may be obtained by scanning the probe laser frequency faster than the lifetime of the sample without re-preparing the atomic sample repeatedly. Both quasiparticle picture and pseudogap picture are constructed to facilitate the physical explanation of the pairing signature in the EIT spectra. Motivated by the prospect of realizing a Fermi gas of 40K atoms with a synthetic non-Abelian gauge field, we investigated theoretically BEC-HCS crossover physics in the presence of a Rashba spin-orbit coupling in a system of two-component Fermi gas with and without a Zeeman field that breaks the population balance. A new bound state (Rashba pair) emerges because of the spin-orbit interaction. We studied the properties of Rashba pairs using a standard pair fluctuation theory. As the two-fold spin degeneracy is lifted by spin-orbit interaction, bound pairs with mixed singlet and triplet pairings (referred to as rashbons) emerge, leading to an anisotropic superfluid. We discussed in detail the experimental signatures for observing the condensation of Rashba pairs by calculating various physical observables which characterize the properties of the system and can be measured in experiment. The role of impurities as experimental probes in the detection of quantum material properties is well appreciated. Here we studied the effect of a single classical impurity in trapped ultracold Fermi

Symmetry and the geometric phase in ultracold hydrogen-exchange reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croft, J. F. E.; Hazra, J.; Balakrishnan, N.; Kendrick, B. K.

2017-08-01

Quantum reactive scattering calculations are reported for the ultracold hydrogen-exchange reaction and its non-reactive atom-exchange isotopic counterparts, proceeding from excited rotational states. It is shown that while the geometric phase (GP) does not necessarily control the reaction to all final states, one can always find final states where it does. For the isotopic counterpart reactions, these states can be used to make a measurement of the GP effect by separately measuring the even and odd symmetry contributions, which experimentally requires nuclear-spin final-state resolution. This follows from symmetry considerations that make the even and odd identical-particle exchange symmetry wavefunctions which include the GP locally equivalent to the opposite symmetry wavefunctions which do not. It is shown how this equivalence can be used to define a constant which quantifies the GP effect and can be obtained solely from experimentally observable rates. This equivalence reflects the important role that discrete symmetries play in ultracold chemistry and highlights the key role that ultracold reactions can play in understanding fundamental aspects of chemical reactivity more generally.

Characterizing Feshbach resonances in ultracold scattering calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frye, Matthew D.; Hutson, Jeremy M.

2017-10-01

We describe procedures for converging on and characterizing zero-energy Feshbach resonances that appear in scattering lengths for ultracold atomic and molecular collisions as a function of an external field. The elastic procedure is appropriate for purely elastic scattering, where the scattering length is real and displays a true pole. The regularized scattering length procedure is appropriate when there is weak background inelasticity, so that the scattering length is complex and displays an oscillation rather than a pole, but the resonant scattering length ares is close to real. The fully complex procedure is appropriate when there is substantial background inelasticity and the real and imaginary parts of ares are required. We demonstrate these procedures for scattering of ultracold 85Rb in various initial states. All of them can converge on and provide full characterization of resonances, from initial guesses many thousands of widths away, using scattering calculations at only about ten values of the external field.

Bose and Fermi Gases of Ultracold Ytterbium in a Triangular Optical Lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thobe, Alexander; Doerscher, Soeren; Hundt, Bastian; Kochanke, Andre; Becker, Christoph; Sengstock, Klaus

2013-05-01

Quantum gases of alkaline-earth like atoms such as Calcium, Strontium and Ytterbium (Yb) open up exciting new possibilities for the study of many body physics in optical lattices, ranging from SU(N) symmetric spin Hamiltonians to the Kondo Lattice Model. Here, we present experimental studies of ultracold bosonic and fermionic Yb quantum gases. Unlike other experiments studying ultracold alkaline earth-like atoms, we have implemented a 2D-MOT instead of a Zeeman slower as a source of cold atoms. From the 2D-MOT, operating on the broad 1S0 -->1P1 transtition, the atoms are directly loaded into the 3D-MOT operating on a narrow intercombination line. The atoms are then evaporatively cooled to quantum degeneracy in a crossed optical dipole trap. With this setup we routinely produce BECs and degenerate Fermi gases of different Yb isotopes. Moreover, we present first results on spectroscopy of an interacting fermi gas on the ultranarrow 1S0 -->3P0 clock transition in a magic wavelength optical lattice. In future experiments, this spectroscopy will serve as a versatile tool for interaction sensing and selective addressing of atoms in a wavelength tunable, state dependent, triangular optical lattice, which we are currently implementing. This work is supported by DFG within SFB 925 and GrK 1355, as well as EU FETOpen (iSense).

Subpicosecond X rotations of atomic clock states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yunheung; Lee, Han-gyeol; Kim, Hyosub; Jo, Hanlae; Ahn, Jaewook

2018-05-01

We demonstrate subpicosecond-timescale population transfer between the pair of hyperfine ground states of atomic rubidium using a single laser-pulse. Our scheme utilizes the geometric and dynamic phases induced during Rabi oscillation through the fine-structure excited state to construct an X rotation gate for the hyperfine-state qubit system. The experiment performed with a femtosecond laser and cold rubidium atoms, in a magnetooptical trap, shows over 98% maximal population transfer between the clock states.

Magnetic-field gradiometer based on ultracold collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wasak, Tomasz; Jachymski, Krzysztof; Calarco, Tommaso; Negretti, Antonio

2018-05-01

We present a detailed analysis of the usefulness of ultracold atomic collisions for sensing the strength of an external magnetic field as well as its spatial gradient. The core idea of the sensor, which we recently proposed in Jachymski et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 013401 (2018), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.013401], is to probe the transmission of the atoms through a set of quasi-one-dimensional waveguides that contain an impurity. Magnetic-field-dependent interactions between the incoming atoms and the impurity naturally lead to narrow resonances that can act as sensitive field probes since they strongly affect the transmission. We illustrate our findings with concrete examples of experimental relevance, demonstrating that for large atom fluences N a sensitivity of the order of 1 nT/√{N } for the field strength and 100 nT/(mm √{N }) for the gradient can be reached with our scheme.

Universality and chaoticity in ultracold K+KRb chemical reactions

DOE PAGES

Croft, J. F. E.; Makrides, C.; Li, M.; ...

2017-07-19

A fundamental question in the study of chemical reactions is how reactions proceed at a collision energy close to absolute zero. This question is no longer hypothetical: quantum degenerate gases of atoms and molecules can now be created at temperatures lower than a few tens of nanokelvin. Here we consider the benchmark ultracold reaction between, the most-celebrated ultracold molecule, KRb and K. We map out an accurate ab initio ground-state potential energy surface of the K 2Rb complex in full dimensionality and report numerically-exact quantum-mechanical reaction dynamics. The distribution of rotationally resolved rates is shown to be Poissonian. An analysismore » of the hyperspherical adiabatic potential curves explains this statistical character revealing a chaotic distribution for the short-range collision complex that plays a key role in governing the reaction outcome.« less

Ultracold Nonreactive Molecules in an Optical Lattice: Connecting Chemistry to Many-Body Physics.

PubMed

Doçaj, Andris; Wall, Michael L; Mukherjee, Rick; Hazzard, Kaden R A

2016-04-01

We derive effective lattice models for ultracold bosonic or fermionic nonreactive molecules (NRMs) in an optical lattice, analogous to the Hubbard model that describes ultracold atoms in a lattice. In stark contrast to the Hubbard model, which is commonly assumed to accurately describe NRMs, we find that the single on-site interaction parameter U is replaced by a multichannel interaction, whose properties we elucidate. Because this arises from complex short-range collisional physics, it requires no dipolar interactions and thus occurs even in the absence of an electric field or for homonuclear molecules. We find a crossover between coherent few-channel models and fully incoherent single-channel models as the lattice depth is increased. We show that the effective model parameters can be determined in lattice modulation experiments, which, consequently, measure molecular collision dynamics with a vastly sharper energy resolution than experiments in a free-space ultracold gas.

Nanoscale light–matter interactions in atomic cladding waveguides

PubMed Central

Stern, Liron; Desiatov, Boris; Goykhman, Ilya; Levy, Uriel

2013-01-01

Alkali vapours, such as rubidium, are being used extensively in several important fields of research such as slow and stored light nonlinear optics quantum computation, atomic clocks and magnetometers. Recently, there is a growing effort towards miniaturizing traditional centimetre-size vapour cells. Owing to the significant reduction in device dimensions, light–matter interactions are greatly enhanced, enabling new functionalities due to the low power threshold needed for nonlinear interactions. Here, taking advantage of the mature platform of silicon photonics, we construct an efficient and flexible platform for tailored light–vapour interactions on a chip. Specifically, we demonstrate light–matter interactions in an atomic cladding waveguide, consisting of a silicon nitride nano-waveguide core with a rubidium vapour cladding. We observe the efficient interaction of the electromagnetic guided mode with the rubidium cladding and show that due to the high confinement of the optical mode, the rubidium absorption saturates at powers in the nanowatt regime. PMID:23462991

Energy Scaling of Cold Atom-Atom-Ion Three-Body Recombination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krükow, Artjom; Mohammadi, Amir; Härter, Arne; Denschlag, Johannes Hecker; Pérez-Ríos, Jesús; Greene, Chris H.

2016-05-01

We study three-body recombination of Ba++Rb +Rb in the mK regime where a single 138Ba+ ion in a Paul trap is immersed into a cloud of ultracold 87Rb atoms. We measure the energy dependence of the three-body rate coefficient k3 and compare the results to the theoretical prediction, k3∝Ecol-3 /4, where Ecol is the collision energy. We find agreement if we assume that the nonthermal ion energy distribution is determined by at least two different micromotion induced energy scales. Furthermore, using classical trajectory calculations we predict how the median binding energy of the formed molecules scales with the collision energy. Our studies give new insights into the kinetics of an ion immersed in an ultracold atom cloud and yield important prospects for atom-ion experiments targeting the s -wave regime.

Interstellar Lithium and Rubidium in the Diffuse Gas Near IC 443

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritchey, Adam M.; Taylor, C. J.; Federman, S. R.; Lambert, D. L.

2011-01-01

We present an analysis of interstellar lithium and rubidium from observations made with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory of the Li I λ6707 and Rb I λ7800 absorption lines along four lines of sight through the supernova remnant IC 443. The observations probe interstellar material polluted by the ejecta of a core-collapse (Type II) supernova and can thus be used to constrain the contribution from massive stars to the synthesis of lithium and rubidium. Production of 7Li is expected to occur through neutrino spallation in the helium and carbon shells of the progenitor star during the terminal supernova explosion, while both 6Li and 7Li are synthesized via spallation and fusion reactions involving cosmic rays accelerated by the remnant. Gamma-ray emission from IC 443 provides strong evidence for the interaction of accelerated cosmic rays with the ambient atomic and molecular gas. Rubidium is also produced by massive stars through the weak s-process in the He- and C-burning shells and the r-process during core collapse. We examine interstellar 7Li/6Li isotope ratios as well as Li/K and Rb/K ratios along each line of sight, and discuss the implications of our results in the context of nucleosynthesis associated with Type II supernovae.

Soliton Trains Induced by Adaptive Shaping with Periodic Traps in Four-Level Ultracold Atom Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djouom Tchenkoue, M. L.; Welakuh Mbangheku, D.; Dikandé, Alain M.

2017-06-01

It is well known that an optical trap can be imprinted by a light field in an ultracold-atom system embedded in an optical cavity, and driven by three different coherent fields. Of the three fields coexisting in the optical cavity there is an intense control field that induces a giant Kerr nonlinearity via electromagnetically-induced transparency, and another field that creates a periodic optical grating of strength proportional to the square of the associated Rabi frequency. In this work elliptic-soliton solutions to the nonlinear equation governing the propagation of the probe field are considered, with emphasis on the possible generation of optical soliton trains forming a discrete spectrum with well defined quantum numbers. The problem is treated assuming two distinct types of periodic optical gratings and taking into account the negative and positive signs of detunings (detuning above or below resonance). Results predict that the competition between the self-phase and cross-phase modulation nonlinearities gives rise to a rich family of temporal soliton train modes characterized by distinct quantum numbers.

"Chemical contraction" in rubidium-bismuth melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khairulin, R. A.; Abdullaev, R. N.; Stankus, S. V.

2017-10-01

The density and thermal expansion of liquid rubidium and rubidium-bismuth alloy containing 25.0 at % Bi were measured by the gamma-ray attenuation technique at temperatures from liquidus to 1000 K. The results of this study were compared with the data obtained by other authors. The molar volume of the Rb75Bi25 melt strongly deviates from the additivity rule for ideal solutions.

Preparation of a high concentration of lithium-7 atoms in a magneto-optical trap

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zelener, B. B., E-mail: bobozel@mail.ru; Saakyan, S. A.; Sautenkov, V. A.

2014-11-15

This study is aimed at obtaining high concentration of optically cooled lithium-7 atoms for preparing strongly interacting ultracold plasma and Rydberg matter. A special setup has been constructed, in which two high-power semiconductor lasers are used to cool lithium-7 atoms in a magneto-optical trap. At an optimum detuning of the cooling laser frequency and a magnetic field gradient of 35 G/cm, the concentration of ultracold lithium-7 atoms reaches about 10{sup 11} cm{sup −3}. Additional independent information about the concentration and number of ultracold lithium-7 atoms on different sublevels of the ground state was obtained by using of an additional probingmore » laser.« less

Real-time interferometric diagnostics of rubidium plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djotyan, G. P.; Bakos, J. S.; Kedves, M. Á.; Ráczkevi, B.; Dzsotjan, D.; Varga-Umbrich, K.; Sörlei, Zs.; Szigeti, J.; Ignácz, P.; Lévai, P.; Czitrovszky, A.; Nagy, A.; Dombi, P.; Rácz, P.

2018-03-01

A method of interferometric real-time diagnostics is developed and applied to rubidium plasma created by strong laser pulses in the femtosecond duration range at different initial rubidium vapor densities using a Michelson-type interferometer. A cosine fit with an exponentially decaying relative phase is applied to the obtained time-dependent interferometry signals to measure the density-length product of the created plasma and its recombination time constant. The presented technique may be applicable for real-time measurements of rubidium plasma dynamics in the AWAKE experiment at CERN, as well as for real-time diagnostics of plasmas created in different gaseous media and on surfaces of solid targets.

A high repetition deterministic single ion source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahin, C.; Geppert, P.; Müllers, A.; Ott, H.

2017-12-01

We report on a deterministic single ion source with high repetition rate and high fidelity. The source employs a magneto-optical trap, where ultracold rubidium atoms are photoionized. The electrons herald the creation of a corresponding ion, whose timing information is used to manipulate its trajectory in flight. We demonstrate an ion rate of up to 4× {10}4 {{{s}}}-1 and achieve a fidelity for single ion operation of 98%. The technique can be used for all atomic species, which can be laser-cooled, and opens up new applications in ion microscopy, ion implantation and surface spectroscopy.

Charge transfer in ultracold gases via Feshbach resonances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gacesa, Marko; Côté, Robin

2017-06-01

We investigate the prospects of using magnetic Feshbach resonance to control charge exchange in ultracold collisions of heteroisotopic combinations of atoms and ions of the same element. The proposed treatment, readily applicable to alkali or alkaline-earth metals, is illustrated on cold collisions of +9Be and 10Be. Feshbach resonances are characterized by quantum scattering calculations in a coupled-channel formalism that includes non-Born-Oppenheimer terms originating from the nuclear kinetic operator. Near a resonance predicted at 322 G, we find the charge exchange rate coefficient to rise from practically zero to values greater than 10-12cm3 /s. Our results suggest controllable charge exchange processes between different isotopes of suitable atom-ion pairs, with potential applications to quantum systems engineered to study charge diffusion in trapped cold atom-ion mixtures and emulate many-body physics.

A stable frequency comb directly referenced to rubidium electromagnetically induced transparency and two-photon transitions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hou, Dong; Wu, Jiutao; Zhang, Shuangyou

2014-03-17

We demonstrate an approach to create a stable erbium-fiber-based frequency comb at communication band by directly locking the combs to two rubidium atomic transitions resonances (electromagnetically induced transparency absorption and two-photon absorption), respectively. This approach directly transfers the precision and stability of the atomic transitions to the comb. With its distinguishing feature of compactness by removing the conventional octave-spanning spectrum and f-to-2f beating facilities and the ability to directly control the comb's frequency at the atomic transition frequency, this stable optical comb can be widely used in optical communication, frequency standard, and optical spectroscopy and microscopy.

Quantum Engineering of Strongly Correlated Matter with Ultracold Fermi Gases

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

aim at realizing model systems of strongly correlated, disordered electrons using ultracold fermionic atoms stored in an optical "crystal". The general...theme is to study high-temperature superfluids, Fermi liquids ("metals") and insulators in the presence of disordered impurities whose influence on...Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Education (PECASE). In this program, we aim at realizing model systems of strongly correlated, disordered

The Rubidium Atomic Clock and Basic Research

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-10

from orbiting GPS (global positioning system) satellites. Thankfully, you make it home without an exciting but har- rowing story to tell family...the vapor-cell atomic clock, -i\\till is elec- tronically tied to an atomic resonance, thereby transferring the stability of atomic structure to the...are applied to the resonance cell, there is a net transfer of atoms from F = 1 back into F = 2 and a decrease in transmitted light intensity. The

Coherent optical transients observed in rubidium atomic line filtered Doppler velocimetry experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fajardo, Mario E., E-mail: mario.fajardo@eglin.af.mil; Molek, Christopher D.; Vesely, Annamaria L.

2015-10-14

We report the first successful results from our novel Rubidium Atomic Line Filtered (RALF) Doppler velocimetry apparatus, along with unanticipated oscillatory signals due to coherent optical transients generated within pure Rb vapor cells. RALF is a high-velocity and high-acceleration extension of the well-known Doppler Global Velocimetry (DGV) technique for constructing multi-dimensional flow velocity vector maps in aerodynamics experiments [H. Komine, U.S. Patent No. 4,919,536 (24 April 1990)]. RALF exploits the frequency dependence of pressure-broadened Rb atom optical absorptions in a heated Rb/N{sub 2} gas cell to encode the Doppler shift of reflected near-resonant (λ{sub 0} ≈ 780.24 nm) laser light onto the intensitymore » transmitted by the cell. The present RALF apparatus combines fiber optic and free-space components and was built to determine suitable operating conditions and performance parameters for the Rb/N{sub 2} gas cells. It yields single-spot velocities of thin laser-driven-flyer test surfaces and incorporates a simultaneous Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) channel [Strand et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 083108 (2006)] for validation of the RALF results, which we demonstrate here over the v = 0 to 1 km/s range. Both RALF and DGV presume the vapor cells to be simple Beer's Law optical absorbers, so we were quite surprised to observe oscillatory signals in experiments employing low pressure pure Rb vapor cells. We interpret these oscillations as interference between the Doppler shifted reflected light and the Free Induction Decay (FID) coherent optical transient produced within the pure Rb cells at the original laser frequency; this is confirmed by direct comparison of the PDV and FID signals. We attribute the different behaviors of the Rb/N{sub 2} vs. Rb gas cells to efficient dephasing of the atomic/optical coherences by Rb-N{sub 2} collisions. The minimum necessary N{sub 2} buffer gas density ≈0.3 amagat translates into a

Laser spectroscopy of the 5P3/2 → 6Pj (j = 1/2 and 3/2) electric dipole forbidden transitions in atomic rubidium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponciano-Ojeda, F.; Hernández-Gómez, S.; Mojica-Casique, C.; Hoyos, L. M.; Flores-Mijangos, J.; Ramírez-Martínez, F.; Sahagún, D.; Jáuregui, R.; Jiménez-Mier, J.

2018-04-01

Doppler-free optical double-resonance spectroscopy is used to study the 5S1/2 → 5P3/2 → 6Pj (j = 3/2,1/2) excitation sequence in room-temperature rubidium atoms. This involves a 5S1/2 → 5P3/2 electric dipole preparation step followed by the 5P3/2 → 6Pj electric quadrupole excitation. The electric dipole forbidden transitions occur at 911.0 nm (j = 3/2) and 917.5 nm (j = 1/2). Production of atoms in the 6Pj states is detected by observing their direct decay to the ground state through emission of blue photons (λ ≈ 420 nm). A detailed experimental and theoretical study of the dependence on the relative linear polarizations of excitation beams is made. It is shown that specific electric quadrupole selection rules over magnetic quantum numbers are directly related to the relative orientation of the linear polarization of the excitation beams.

3D atom microscopy in the presence of Doppler shift

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahmatullah; Chuang, You-Lin; Lee, Ray-Kuang; Qamar, Sajid

2018-03-01

The interaction of hot atoms with laser fields produces a Doppler shift, which can severely affect the precise spatial measurement of an atom. We suggest an experimentally realizable scheme to address this issue in the three-dimensional position measurement of a single atom in vapors of rubidium atoms. A three-level Λ-type atom-field configuration is considered where a moving atom interacts with three orthogonal standing-wave laser fields and spatial information of the atom in 3D space is obtained via an upper-level population using a weak probe laser field. The atom moves with velocity v along the probe laser field, and due to the Doppler broadening the precision of the spatial information deteriorates significantly. It is found that via a microwave field, precision in the position measurement of a single hot rubidium atom can be attained, overcoming the limitation posed by the Doppler shift.

Topology, edge states, and zero-energy states of ultracold atoms in one-dimensional optical superlattices with alternating on-site potentials or hopping coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Yan; Wright, Kevin; Kouachi, Said; Chien, Chih-Chun

2018-02-01

One-dimensional superlattices with periodic spatial modulations of onsite potentials or tunneling coefficients can exhibit a variety of properties associated with topology or symmetry. Recent developments of ring-shaped optical lattices allow a systematic study of those properties in superlattices with or without boundaries. While superlattices with additional modulating parameters are shown to have quantized topological invariants in the augmented parameter space, we also found localized or zero-energy states associated with symmetries of the Hamiltonians. Probing those states in ultracold atoms is possible by utilizing recently proposed methods analyzing particle depletion or the local density of states. Moreover, we summarize feasible realizations of configurable optical superlattices using currently available techniques.

Atomic frequency reference at 1033 nm for ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber lasers and applications exploiting a rubidium (Rb) 5S_1/2 to 4D_5/2 one-colour two-photon transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Ritayan; Condylis, Paul C.; Johnathan, Yik Jinen; Hessmo, Björn

2017-04-01

We demonstrate a two-photon transition of rubidium (Rb) atoms from the ground state (5$S_{1/2}$) to the excited state (4$D_{5/2}$), using a home-built ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber amplifier at 1033 nm. This is the first demonstration of an atomic frequency reference at 1033 nm as well as of a one-colour two-photon transition for the above energy levels. A simple optical setup is presented for the two-photon transition fluorescence spectroscopy, which is useful for frequency stabilization for a broad class of lasers. This spectroscopy has potential applications in the fiber laser industry as a frequency reference, particularly for the Yb-doped fiber lasers. This two-photon transition also has applications in atomic physics as a background- free high- resolution atom detection and for quantum communication, which is outlined in this article.

Dynamics of solvation and desolvation of rubidium attached to He nanodroplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Vangerow, J.; John, O.; Stienkemeier, F.; Mudrich, M.

2015-07-01

The real-time dynamics of photoexcited and photoionized rubidium (Rb) atoms attached to helium (He) nanodroplets is studied by femtosecond pump-probe mass spectrometry. While excited Rb atoms in the perturbed 6p-state (Rb*) desorb off the He droplets, Rb+ photoions tend to sink into the droplet interior when created near the droplet surface. The transition from Rb+ solvation to full Rb* desorption is found to occur at a delay time τ ˜ 600 fs for Rb* in the 6pΣ-state and τ ˜ 1200 fs for the 6pΠ-state. Rb+He ions are found to be created by directly exciting bound Rb*He exciplex states as well as by populating bound Rb+He-states in a photoassociative ionization process.

Enhancing light-atom interactions via atomic bunching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmittberger, Bonnie L.; Gauthier, Daniel J.

2014-07-01

There is a broad interest in enhancing the strength of light-atom interactions to the point where injecting a single photon induces a nonlinear material response. Here we show theoretically that sub-Doppler-cooled two-level atoms that are spatially organized by weak optical fields give rise to a nonlinear material response that is greatly enhanced beyond that attainable in a homogeneous gas. Specifically, in the regime where the intensity of the applied optical fields is much less than the off-resonance saturation intensity, we show that the third-order nonlinear susceptibility scales inversely with atomic temperature and, due to this scaling, can be two orders of magnitude larger than that of a homogeneous gas for typical experimental parameters. As a result, we predict that spatially bunched two-level atoms can exhibit single-photon nonlinearities. Our model is valid for all regimes of atomic bunching and simultaneously accounts for the backaction of the atoms on the optical fields. Our results agree with previous theoretical and experimental results for light-atom interactions that have considered only limited regimes of atomic bunching. For lattice beams tuned to the low-frequency side of the atomic transition, we find that the nonlinearity transitions from a self-focusing type to a self-defocusing type at a critical intensity. We also show that higher than third-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities are significant in the regime where the dipole potential energy is on the order of the atomic thermal energy. We therefore find that it is crucial to retain high-order nonlinearities to accurately predict interactions of laser fields with spatially organized ultracold atoms. The model presented here is a foundation for modeling low-light-level nonlinear optical processes for ultracold atoms in optical lattices.

Analyses of absorption distribution of a rubidium cell side-pumped by a Laser-Diode-Array (LDA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Hang; Han, Juhong; Rong, Kepeng; Wang, Shunyan; Cai, He; An, Guofei; Zhang, Wei; Yu, Qiang; Wu, Peng; Wang, Hongyuan; Wang, You

2018-01-01

A diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL) has been regarded as one of the most potential candidates to achieve high power performances of next generation. In this paper, we investigate the physical properties of a rubidium cell side-pumped by a Laser-Diode-Array (LDA) in this study. As the saturated concentration of a gain medium inside a vapor cell is extremely sensitive to the temperature, the populations of every energy-level of the atomic alkali are strongly relying on the vapor temperature. Thus, the absorption characteristics of a DPAL are mainly dominated by the temperature distribution. In this paper, the temperature, absorption, and lasing distributions in the cross-section of a rubidium cell side-pumped by a LDA are obtained by means of a complicated mathematic procedure. Based on the original end-pumped mode we constructed before, a novel one-direction side-pumped theoretical mode has been established to explore the distribution properties in the transverse section of a rubidium vapor cell by combining the procedures of heat transfer and laser kinetics together. It has been thought the results might be helpful for design of a side-pumped configuration in a high-powered DPAL.

Recovery of strontium activity from a strontium-82/rubidium-82 generator

DOEpatents

Taylor, Wayne A.; Phillips, Dennis R.; Sosnowski, Kenneth M.

1999-10-12

Strontium-82 is recovered from spent strontium-82/rubidium-82 generators to provide a source of strontium-82 for additional strontium-82/rubidium-82 generators. The process involves stripping of the strontium-82 from used strontium-82/rubidium-82 generators followed by purification of the strontium-82 material to remove additional metal contaminants to desired levels.

Trapping ultracold gases near cryogenic materials with rapid reconfigurability

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Naides, Matthew A.; Turner, Richard W.; Lai, Ruby A.

We demonstrate an atom chip trapping system that allows the placement and high-resolution imaging of ultracold atoms within microns from any ≲100 μm-thin, UHV-compatible material, while also allowing sample exchange with minimal experimental downtime. The sample is not connected to the atom chip, allowing rapid exchange without perturbing the atom chip or laser cooling apparatus. Exchange of the sample and retrapping of atoms has been performed within a week turnaround, limited only by chamber baking. Moreover, the decoupling of sample and atom chip provides the ability to independently tune the sample temperature and its position with respect to the trapped ultracoldmore » gas, which itself may remain in the focus of a high-resolution imaging system. As a first demonstration of this system, we have confined a 700-nK cloud of 8 × 10{sup 4} {sup 87}Rb atoms within 100 μm of a gold-mirrored 100-μm-thick silicon substrate. The substrate was cooled to 35 K without use of a heat shield, while the atom chip, 120 μm away, remained at room temperature. Atoms may be imaged and retrapped every 16 s, allowing rapid data collection.« less

Optical ferris wheel for ultracold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franke-Arnold, S.; Leach, J.; Padgett, M. J.; Lembessis, V. E.; Ellinas, D.; Wright, A. J.; Girkin, J. M.; Ohberg, P.; Arnold, A. S.

2007-07-01

We propose a versatile optical ring lattice suitable for trapping cold and quantum degenerate atomic samples. We demonstrate the realisation of intensity patterns from pairs of Laguerre-Gauss (exp(iℓө) modes with different ℓ indices. These patterns can be rotated by introducing a frequency shift between the modes. We can generate bright ring lattices for trapping atoms in red-detuned light, and dark ring lattices suitable for trapping atoms with minimal heating in the optical vortices of blue-detuned light. The lattice sites can be joined to form a uniform ring trap, making it ideal for studying persistent currents and the Mott insulator transition in a ring geometry.

PENTrack - a versatile Monte Carlo tool for ultracold neutron sources and experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Picker, Ruediger; Chahal, Sanmeet; Christopher, Nicolas; Losekamm, Martin; Marcellin, James; Paul, Stephan; Schreyer, Wolfgang; Yapa, Pramodh

2016-09-01

Ultracold neutrons have energies in the hundred nano eV region. They can be stored in traps for hundreds of seconds. This makes them the ideal tool to study the neutron itself. Measurements of neutron decay correlations, lifetime or electric dipole moment are ideally suited for ultracold neutrons, as well as experiments probing the neutron's gravitational levels in the earth's field. We have developed a Monte Carlo simulation tool that can serve to design and optimize these experiments, and possibly correct results: PENTrack is a C++ based simulation code that tracks neutrons, protons and electrons or atoms, as well as their spins, in gravitational and electromagnetic fields. In addition wall interactions of neutrons due to strong interaction are modeled with a Fermi-potential formalism and take surface roughness into account. The presentation will introduce the physics behind the simulation and provide examples of its application.

Quantum coherent tractor beam effect for atoms trapped near a nanowaveguide

PubMed Central

Sadgrove, Mark; Wimberger, Sandro; Nic Chormaic, Síle

2016-01-01

We propose several schemes to realize a tractor beam effect for ultracold atoms in the vicinity of a few-mode nanowaveguide. Atoms trapped near the waveguide are transported in a direction opposite to the guided mode propagation direction. We analyse three specific examples for ultracold 23Na atoms trapped near a specific nanowaveguide (i.e. an optical nanofibre): (i) a conveyor belt-type tractor beam effect, (ii) an accelerator tractor beam effect, and (iii) a quantum coherent tractor beam effect, all of which can effectively pull atoms along the nanofibre toward the light source. This technique provides a new tool for controlling the motion of particles near nanowaveguides with potential applications in the study of particle transport and binding as well as atom interferometry. PMID:27440516

Ultracold molecules for the masses: Evaporative cooling and magneto-optical trapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stuhl, B. K.

While cold molecule experiments are rapidly moving towards their promised benefits of precision spectroscopy, controllable chemistry, and novel condensed phases, heretofore the field has been greatly limited by a lack of methods to cool and compress chemically diverse species to temperatures below ten millikelvin. While in atomic physics these needs are fulfilled by laser cooling, magneto-optical trapping, and evaporative cooling, until now none of these techniques have been applicable to molecules. In this thesis, two major breakthroughs are reported. The first is the observation of evaporative cooling in magnetically trapped hydroxyl (OH) radicals, which potentially opens a path all the way to Bose-Einstein condensation of dipolar radicals, as well as allowing cold- and ultracold-chemistry studies of fundamental reaction mechanisms. Through the combination of an extremely high gradient magnetic quadrupole trap and the use of the OH Λ-doublet transition to enable highly selective forced evaporation, cooling by an order of magnitude in temperature was achieved and yielded a final temperature no higher than 5mK. The second breakthrough is the successful application of laser cooling and magneto-optical trapping to molecules. Motivated by a proposal in this thesis, laser cooling of molecules is now known to be technically feasible in a select but substantial pool of diatomic molecules. The demonstration of not only Doppler cooling but also two-dimensional magneto-optical trapping in yttrium (II) oxide, YO, is expected to enable rapid growth in the availability of ultracold molecules—just as the invention of the atomic magneto-optical trap stimulated atomic physics twenty-five years ago.

Atom-Resonant Heralded Single Photons by Interaction-Free Measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolfgramm, Florian; de Icaza Astiz, Yannick A.; Beduini, Federica A.; Cerè, Alessandro; Mitchell, Morgan W.

2011-02-01

We demonstrate the generation of rubidium-resonant heralded single photons for quantum memories. Photon pairs are created by cavity-enhanced down-conversion and narrowed in bandwidth to 7 MHz with a novel atom-based filter operating by “interaction-free measurement” principles. At least 94% of the heralded photons are atom-resonant as demonstrated by a direct absorption measurement with rubidium vapor. A heralded autocorrelation measurement shows gc(2)(0)=0.040±0.012, i.e., suppression of multiphoton contributions by a factor of 25 relative to a coherent state. The generated heralded photons can readily be used in quantum memories and quantum networks.

Strategic Applications of Ultracold Atoms

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-05-20

behavior is strongly constrained by the Pauli Exclusion Principle. This limits the variety of possible nonlinear atom optics effects, but also offers the...sensors”, Wolfgang Ketterle, Steven Chu, Eric Cornell and Carl Wieman (2002). 19 Participating Scientific Personnel Steven Chu Wolfgang

Engineering Photon-Photon Interactions within Rubidium-Filled Waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrella, C.; Light, P. S.; Vahid, S. Afshar; Benabid, F.; Luiten, A. N.

2018-04-01

Strong photon-photon interactions are a required ingredient for deterministic two-photon optical quantum logic gates. Multiphoton transitions in dense atomic vapors have been shown to be a promising avenue for producing such interactions. The strength of a multiphoton interaction can be enhanced by conducting the interaction in highly confined geometries such as small-cross-section optical waveguides. We demonstrate, both experimentally and theoretically, that the strength of such interactions scale only with the optical mode diameter, d , not d2 as might be initially expected. This weakening of the interaction arises from atomic motion inside the waveguides. We create an interaction between two optical signals, at 780 and 776 nm, using the 5 S1 /2→5 D5 /2 two-photon transition in rubidium vapor within a range of hollow-core fibers with different core sizes. The interaction strength is characterized by observing the absorption and phase shift induced on the 780-nm beam, which is in close agreement with theoretical modeling that accounts for the atomic motion inside the fibers. These observations demonstrate that transit-time effects upon multiphoton transitions are of key importance when engineering photon-photon interactions within small-cross-section waveguides that might otherwise be thought to lead to enhanced optical nonlinearity through increased intensities.

Stable spin domains in a nondegenerate ultracold gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graham, S. D.; Niroomand, D.; Ragan, R. J.; McGuirk, J. M.

2018-05-01

We study the stability of two-domain spin structures in an ultracold gas of magnetically trapped 87Rb atoms above quantum degeneracy. Adding a small effective magnetic field gradient stabilizes the domains via coherent collective spin rotation effects, despite negligibly perturbing the potential energy relative to the thermal energy. We demonstrate that domain stabilization is accomplished through decoupling the dynamics of longitudinal magnetization, which remains in time-independent domains, from transverse magnetization, which undergoes a purely transverse spin wave trapped within the domain wall. We explore the effect of temperature and density on the steady-state domains, and compare our results to a hydrodynamic solution to a quantum Boltzmann equation.

Evidence of Antiblockade in an Ultracold Rydberg Gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amthor, Thomas; Giese, Christian; Hofmann, Christoph S.; Weidemüller, Matthias

2010-01-01

We present the experimental observation of the antiblockade in an ultracold Rydberg gas recently proposed by Ates et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 023002 (2007)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.98.023002]. Our approach allows the control of the pair distribution in the gas and is based on a strong coupling of one transition in an atomic three-level system, while introducing specific detunings of the other transition. When the coupling energy matches the interaction energy of the Rydberg long-range interactions, the otherwise blocked excitation of close pairs becomes possible. A time-resolved spectroscopic measurement of the Penning ionization signal is used to identify slight variations in the Rydberg pair distribution of a random arrangement of atoms. A model based on a pair interaction Hamiltonian is presented which well reproduces our experimental observations and allows one to deduce the distribution of nearest-neighbor distances.

Rapid prototyping of versatile atom chips for atom interferometry applications.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasch, Brian; Squires, Matthew; Olson, Spencer; Kroese, Bethany; Imhof, Eric; Kohn, Rudolph; Stuhl, Benjamin; Schramm, Stacy; Stickney, James

2016-05-01

We present recent advances in the manipulation of ultracold atoms with ex-vacuo atom chips (i.e. atom chips that are not inside to the UHV chamber). Details will be presented of an experimental system that allows direct bonded copper (DBC) atom chips to be removed and replaced in minutes, requiring minimal re-optimization of parameters. This system has been used to create Bose-Einstein condensates, as well as magnetic waveguides with precisely tunable axial parameters, allowing double wells, pure harmonic confinement, and modified harmonic traps. We investigate the effects of higher order magnetic field contributions to the waveguide, and the implications for confined atom interferometry.

Ultracold Gas Theory from the Top-Down and Bottom-Up

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colussi, Victor E.

Advances in trapping and cooling of ultracold gases over the last several decades have made it possible to test many formerly outstanding predictions from disparate branches of physics. This thesis touches on three historical problems that have found new life recently in the context of ultracold Bose gases of alkali atoms. The first problem revolves around an outstanding prediction from Boltzmann over a century and half old that the breathing mode of a isotropically trapped classical gas should oscillate indefinitely. I analyze recent experimental results, and attribute observed damping sources to trap imperfections. The second question is about the analogue of first and second sound modes from liquid helium in trapped dilute gases. I present the results of a joint theoretical/experimental investigation of the breathing mode of a finite temperature Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), attributing a striking collapse revival behavior of the resultant oscillation to in-phase and out-of-phase normal modes of the thermal cloud and condensate. The third problem is that of the formation of Borromean ring-like three-body bound states, referred to as Efimov trimers, in strongly-interacting few-body systems. I extend the predicted spectrum of Efimov states into the realm of many degenerate internal levels, and investigate the difficult three-body elastic scattering problem. These questions are part of the broader theme of this thesis: How can our understanding of few-body physics in the ultracold limit be translated into statements about the bulk behavior of an ultracold gas? For weakly-interacting Bose gases, this translation is well-known: the many-body properties of the gas are well-described by the tracking just the one and two particle correlations. I analyze a generalization of this procedure to higher order correlations, the general connection between few-body physics and correlations in a dilute gas, and results for the emergence of Efimov physics in the magnetic phase

Formation of ultracold molecules induced by a high-power single frequency fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes Passagem, Henry; Colin-Rodriguez, Ricardo; Ventura da Silva, Paulo; Bouloufa-Maafa, Nadia; Dulieu, Olivier; Marcassa, Luis

2017-04-01

Photoassociation of a pair of ultracold atoms is a quite simple and rapid approach for cold molecule formation. The main limitation of PA is that the latter step is incoherent, so that the population of the created molecules is spread over many vibrational levels with weak or moderate binding energies. If the excited electronic molecular state exhibits a peculiar feature at short internuclear distance like a potential barrier or an avoided crossing, the population of deeply-bound ground state levels may be significantly enhanced. In this work, the influence of a high-power single frequency fiber laser on the formation of ultracold 85Rb2 molecules is investigated as a function of its frequency (in the 1062-1070 nm range) in a magneto optical trap. We found evidence for the formation of ground state 85Rb2 molecules in low vibrational levels (v <= 20) with a maximal rate of 104 s-1, induced by short-range photoassociation by the fiber laser followed by spontaneous emission. When this laser is used to set up a dipole trap, we measure an atomic loss rate at a wavelength far from the PA resonances only 4 times smaller than the one observed at a PA resonance wavelength. This work may have important consequences for atom trapping using lasers around 1060 nm. This work is supported by Grants 2013/02816-8 and 2014/24479-6, Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

Radiation hardness of Efratom M-100 rubidium frequency standard

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

English, T. C.; Vorwerk, H.; Rudie, N. J.

1983-01-01

The effects of nuclear radiation on rubidium gas cell frequency standards and components are presented, including the results of recent tests where a continuously operating rubidium frequency standard (Effratom, Model M-100) was subjected to simultaneous neutron/gamma radiation. At the highest neutron fluence 7.5 10 to the 12th power n/sq cm and total dose 11 krad(Si) tested, the unit operated satisfactorily; the total frequency change over the 2 1/2 hour test period due to all causes, including repeated retraction from and insertion into the reactor, was less than 1 x 10 to the -10th power. The effects of combined neutron/gamma radiation on rubidium frequency standard physics package components were also studied, and the results are presented.

Site-Resolved Imaging with the Fermi Gas Microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huber, Florian Gerhard

The recent development of quantum gas microscopy for bosonic rubidium atoms trapped in optical lattices has made it possible to study local structure and correlations in quantum many-body systems. Quantum gas microscopes are a perfect platform to perform quantum simulation of condensed matter systems, offering unprecedented control over both internal and external degrees of freedom at a single-site level. In this thesis, this technique is extended to fermionic particles, paving the way to fermionic quantum simulation, which emulate electrons in real solids. Our implementation uses lithium, the lightest atom amenable to laser cooling. The absolute timescales of dynamics in optical lattices are inversely proportional to the mass. Therefore, experiments are more than six times faster than for the only other fermionic alkali atom, potassium, and more then fourteen times faster than an equivalent rubidium experiment. Scattering and collecting a sufficient number of photons with our high-resolution imaging system requires continuous cooling of the atoms during the fluorescence imaging. The lack of a resolved excited hyperfine structure on the D2 line of lithium prevents efficient conventional sub-Doppler cooling. To address this challenge we have applied a Raman sideband cooling scheme and achieved the first site-resolved imaging of ultracold fermions in an optical lattice.

Collisional Thermalization in Strongly Coupled Ultracold Neutral Plasmas

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-25

Beaumont, TX (4/16). “Studying Strongly Coupled Systems with Ultracold Plasmas," Department of Physics and Astronomy Colloquium, University of South...Alabama, Mobile, AL (11/15). “Collective Modes and Correlations in Strongly Coupled Ultracold Plasmas," Department of Physics and Astronomy

Atom Interferometry in a Warm Vapor

DOE PAGES

Biedermann, G. W.; McGuinness, H. J.; Rakholia, A. V.; ...

2017-04-17

Here, we demonstrate matter-wave interference in a warm vapor of rubidium atoms. Established approaches to light-pulse atom interferometry rely on laser cooling to concentrate a large ensemble of atoms into a velocity class resonant with the atom optical light pulse. In our experiment, we show that clear interference signals may be obtained without laser cooling. This effect relies on the Doppler selectivity of the atom interferometer resonance. Lastly, this interferometer may be configured to measure accelerations, and we demonstrate that multiple interferometers may be operated simultaneously by addressing multiple velocity classes.

Disciplined rubidium oscillator with GPS selective availability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dewey, Wayne P.

1993-01-01

A U.S. Department of Defense decision for continuous implementation of GPS Selective Availability (S/A) has made it necessary to modify Rubidium oscillator disciplining methods. One such method for reducing the effects of S/A on the oscillator disciplining process was developed which achieves results approaching pre-S/A GPS. The Satellite Hopping algorithm used in minimizing the effects of S/A on the oscillator disciplining process is described, and the results of using this process to those obtained prior to the implementation of S/A are compared. Test results are from a TrueTime Rubidium based Model GPS-DC timing receiver.

Rubidium 87 gas cell studies, phase 2. [design and characteristics of rubidium maser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanier, J.

1974-01-01

The design, development, and characteristics of a rubidium 87 maser are discussed. The design of a receiver capable of locking a crystal oscillator to the maser signal is reported. The subjects considered are: (1) maser construction, (2) maser control electronics, (3) the characteristics of the receiver, and (4) results of experimental maser tests.

Ion-Atom Cold Collisions and Atomic Clocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prestage, John D.; Maleki, Lute; Tjoelker, Robert L.

1997-01-01

Collisions between ultracold neutral atoms have for some time been the subject of investigation, initially with hydrogen and more recently with laser cooled alkali atoms. Advances in laser cooling and trapping of neutral atoms in a Magneto-Optic Trap (MOT) have made cold atoms available as the starting point for many laser cooled atomic physics investigations. The most spectacularly successful of these, the observation of Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) in a dilute ultra-cold spin polarized atomic vapor, has accelerated the study of cold collisions. Experimental and theoretical studies of BEC and the long range interaction between cold alkali atoms is at the boundary of atomic and low temperature physics. Such studies have been difficult and would not have been possible without the development and advancement of laser cooling and trapping of neutral atoms. By contrast, ion-atom interactions at low temperature, also very difficult to study prior to modern day laser cooling, have remained largely unexplored. But now, many laboratories worldwide have almost routine access to cold neutral atoms. The combined technologies of ion trapping, together with laser cooling of neutrals has made these studies experimentally feasible and several very important, novel applications might come out of such investigations . This paper is an investigation of ion-atom interactions in the cold and ultra-cold temperature regime. Some of the collisional ion-atom interactions present at room temperature are very much reduced in the low temperature regime. Reaction rates for charge transfer between unlike atoms, A + B(+) approaches A(+) + B, are expected to fall rapidly with temperature, approximately as T(sup 5/2). Thus, cold mixtures of atoms and ions are expected to coexist for very long times, unlike room temperature mixtures of the same ion-atom combination. Thus, it seems feasible to cool ions via collisions with laser cooled atoms. Many of the conventional collisional interactions

Thermal effects in light scattering from ultracold bosons in an optical lattice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lakomy, Kazimierz; Idziaszek, Zbigniew; Trippenbach, Marek

2009-10-15

We study the scattering of a weak and far-detuned light from a system of ultracold bosons in one-dimensional and three-dimensional optical lattices. We show the connection between angular distributions of the scattered light and statistical properties of a Bose gas in a periodic potential. The angular patterns are determined by the Fourier transform of the second-order correlation function, and thus they can be used to retrieve information on particle number fluctuations and correlations. We consider superfluid and Mott-insulator phases of the Bose gas in a lattice and we analyze in detail how the scattering depends on the system dimensionality, temperature,more » and atom-atom interactions.« less

The bound states of ultracold KRb molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Julienne, Paul; Hanna, Thomas

2009-03-01

Recently ultracold vibrational ground state ^40K^87Rb polar molecules have been made using magnetoassociation of two cold atoms to a weakly bound Feshbach molecule, followed by a two-color optical STIRAP process to transfer molecules to the molecular ground state [1]. We have used accurate potential energy curves for the singlet and triplet states of the KRb molecule [2] with coupled channels calculations to calculate all of the bound states of the ^40K^87Rb molecule as a function of magnetic field from the cold atom collision threshold to the v=0 ground state. We have also developed approximate models for understanding the changing properties of the molecular bound states as binding energy increases. Some overall conclusions from these calculations will be presented. [1] K.-K. Ni, S. Ospelkaus, M. H. G. de Miranda, A. Peer, B. Neyenhuis, J. J. Zirbel, S. Kotochigova, P. S. Julienne, D. S. Jin, and J. Ye, Science, 2008, 322, 231--235. [2] A. Pashov, O. Docenko, M. Tamanis, R. Ferber, H. Kn"ockel, and E. Tiemann, Phys. Rev. A, 2007, 76, 022511.

Magneto-optical cooling of atoms.

PubMed

Raizen, Mark G; Budker, Dmitry; Rochester, Simon M; Narevicius, Julia; Narevicius, Edvardas

2014-08-01

We propose an alternative method to laser cooling. Our approach utilizes the extreme brightness of a supersonic atomic beam, and the adiabatic atomic coilgun to slow atoms in the beam or to bring them to rest. We show how internal-state optical pumping and stimulated optical transitions, combined with magnetic forces, can be used to cool the translational motion of atoms. This approach does not rely on momentum transfer from photons to atoms, as in laser cooling. We predict that our method can surpass laser cooling in terms of flux of ultracold atoms and phase-space density, with lower required laser power.

Progress Towards Laser Cooling of an Ultracold Neutral Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langin, Thomas; Gorman, Grant; Chen, Zhitao; Chow, Kyle; Killian, Thomas

2017-04-01

We report on progress towards laser-cooling of the ion component of an ultracold neutral plasma (UNP) consisting of 88Sr+. The goal of the experiment is to increase the value of the ion Coulomb Coupling Parameter, Γi, which is the ratio of the average nearest neighbor Coulomb interaction energy to the ion kinetic energy. Currently, Γi is limited to 3 in most UNP systems. We have developed a new photoionization pathway for plasma creation that starts with atoms in a magnetic trap. This allows us to create much larger plasmas (upwards of 109 atoms with a width of 4 mm). This greatly reduces the plasma expansion rate, giving more time for laser cooling. We have also installed lasers for optically pumping atoms out of dark states that are populated during laser cooling. We will discuss these new systems, along with the results of our first attempts at laser-cooling. Supported by NSF and DoE (PHY-0714603), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-12-1-0267), and the Shell Foundation.

Compact atomic clocks and stabilised laser for space applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mileti, Gaetano; Affolderbach, Christoph; Matthey-de-l'Endroit, Renaud

2016-07-01

We present our developments towards next generation compact vapour-cell based atomic frequency standards using a tunable laser diode instead of a traditional discharge lamp. The realisation of two types of Rubidium clocks addressing specific applications is in progress: high performance frequency standards for demanding applications such as satellite navigation, and chip-scale atomic clocks, allowing further miniaturisation of the system. The stabilised laser source constitutes the main technological novelty of these new standards, allowing a more efficient preparation and interrogation of the atoms and hence an improvement of the clock performances. However, before this key component may be employed in a commercial and ultimately in a space-qualified instrument, further studies are necessary to demonstrate their suitability, in particular concerning their reliability and long-term operation. The talk will present our preliminary investigations on this subject. The stabilised laser diode technology developed for our atomic clocks has several other applications on ground and in space. We will conclude our talk by illustrating this for the example of a recently completed ESA project on a 1.6 microns wavelength reference for a future space-borne Lidar. This source is based on a Rubidium vapour cell providing the necessary stability and accuracy, while a second harmonic generator and a compact optical comb generated from an electro-optic modulator allow to transfer these properties from the Rubidium wavelength (780nm) to the desired spectral range.

Determination of the atomic density of rubidium-87

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Meng; Zhang, Kai; Chen, Li-Qing

2015-09-01

Atomic density is a basic and important parameter in quantum optics, nonlinear optics, and precision measurement. In the past few decades, several methods have been used to measure atomic density, such as thermionic effect, optical absorption, and resonance fluorescence. The main error of these experiments stemmed from depopulation of the energy level, self-absorption, and the broad bandwidth of the laser. Here we demonstrate the atomic density of 87Rb vapor in paraffin coated cell between 297 K and 334 K mainly using fluorescence measurement. Optical pumping, anti-relaxation coating, and absorption compensation approaches are used to decrease measurement error. These measurement methods are suitable for vapor temperature at dozens of degrees. The fitting function for the experimental data of 87Rb atomic density is given. Project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11274118 and 11474095), the Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission of China (Grant No. 13ZZ036), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China.

Scattering of positrons and electrons by alkali atoms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, T. S.; Kauppila, W. E.; Kwan, C. K.; Lukaszew, R. A.; Parikh, S. P.; Wan, Y. J.; Zhou, S.; Dababneh, M. S.

1990-01-01

Absolute total scattering cross sections (Q sub T's) were measured for positrons and electrons colliding with sodium, potassium, and rubidium in the 1 to 102 eV range, using the same apparatus and experimental approach (a beam transmission technique) for both projectiles. The present results for positron-sodium and -rubidium collisions represent the first Q sub T measurements reported for these collision systems. Features which distinguish the present comparisons between positron- and electron-alkali atom Q sub T's from those for other atoms and molecules (room-temperature gases) which have been used as targets for positrons and electrons are the proximity of the corresponding positron- and electron-alkali atom Q sub T's over the entire energy range of overlap, with an indication of a merging or near-merging of the corresponding positron and electron Q sub T's near (and above) the relatively low energy of about 40 eV, and a general tendency for the positron-alkali atom Q sub T's to be higher than the corresponding electron values as the projectile energy is decreased below about 40 eV.

Experimental Raman adiabatic transfer of optical states in rubidium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Appel, Jürgen; Figueroa, Eden; Vewinger, Frank; Marzlin, Karl-Peter; Lvovsky, Alexander

2007-06-01

An essential element of a quantum optical communication network is a tool for transferring and/or distributing quantum information between optical modes (possibly of different frequencies) in a loss- and decoherence-free fashion. We present a theory [1] and an experimental demonstration [2] of a protocol for routing and frequency conversion of optical quantum information via electromagnetically-induced transparency in an atomic system with multiple excited levels. Transfer of optical states between different signal modes is implemented by adiabatically changing the control fields. The proof-of-principle experiment is performed using the hyperfine levels of the rubidium D1 line. [1] F. Vewinger, J. Appel, E. Figueroa, A. I. Lvovsky, quant-ph/0611181 [2] J. Appel, K.-P. Marzlin, A. I. Lvovsky, Phys. Rev. A 73, 013804 (2006)

The geometric phase controls ultracold chemistry

DOE PAGES

Kendrick, B. K.; Hazra, Jisha; Balakrishnan, N.

2015-07-30

In this study, the geometric phase is shown to control the outcome of an ultracold chemical reaction. The control is a direct consequence of the sign change on the interference term between two scattering pathways (direct and looping), which contribute to the reactive collision process in the presence of a conical intersection (point of degeneracy between two Born–Oppenheimer electronic potential energy surfaces). The unique properties of the ultracold energy regime lead to an effective quantization of the scattering phase shift enabling maximum constructive or destructive interference between the two pathways. By taking the O + OH → H + Omore » 2 reaction as an illustrative example, it is shown that inclusion of the geometric phase modifies ultracold reaction rates by nearly two orders of magnitude. Interesting experimental control possibilities include the application of external electric and magnetic fields that might be used to exploit the geometric phase effect reported here and experimentally switch on or off the reactivity.« less

The blue light indicator in rubidium 5S-5P-5D cascade excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raja, Waseem; Ali, Md. Sabir; Chakrabarti, Alok; Ray, Ayan

2017-07-01

The cascade system has played an important role in contemporary research areas related to fields like Rydberg excitation, four wave mixing and non-classical light generation, etc. Depending on the specific objective, co or counter propagating pump-probe laser experimental geometry is followed. However, the stepwise excitation of atoms to states higher than the first excited state deals with increasingly much fewer number of atoms even compared to the population at first excited level. Hence, one needs a practical indicator to study the complex photon-atom interaction of the cascade system. Here, we experimentally analyze the case of rubidium 5S → 5P → 5D as a specimen of two-step excitation and highlight the efficacy of monitoring one branch, which emits 420 nm, of associated cascade decay route 5D → 6P → 5S, as an effective monitor of the coherence in the system.

Universality of maximum-work efficiency of a cyclic heat engine based on a finite system of ultracold atoms.

PubMed

Ye, Zhuolin; Hu, Yingying; He, Jizhou; Wang, Jianhui

2017-07-24

We study the performance of a cyclic heat engine which uses a small system with a finite number of ultracold atoms as its working substance and works between two heat reservoirs at constant temperatures T h and T c (

Collisions between ultracold metastable He atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woestenenk, G.; Mastwijk, H. C.; Thomsen, J. W.; vna der Straten, P.; Pieksma, M.; van Rijnbach, M.; Niehaus, A.

1999-06-01

We present experimental data on collisions between excited He-atoms occurring in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) at a temperature of 1.1 mK. He(2 3S)-atoms produced in a discharge are pre-cooled and trapped using the He(2 3S)-He(2 3P 2) transition for laser manipulation. Measurements of the Penning ionization rate as a function of the MOT-laser frequency are presented and theoretically analyzed. The analysis, based on a model which is presented in detail for the first time, leads to a good understanding of the complex nature of optical collisions. Further, first and preliminary measurements of the kinetic energy distributions of He 2+- and He +-ions formed by Penning ionization in optical collisions are presented.

Observations on the Reliability of Rubidium Frequency Standards on Block 2/2A GPS Satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dieter, Gary L.

1996-01-01

Currently, the block 2/2A Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites are equipped with two rubidium frequency standards. These frequency standards were originally intended to serve as the back-ups to two cesium frequency standards. As the constellation ages, the master Control Station is forced to initialize and increasing number or rubidium frequency standards. Unfortunately the operational use of these frequency standards has not lived up to initial expectations. Although the performance of these rubidium frequency standards has met and even exceeded GPS requirements, their reliability has not. The number of unscheduled outage times and the short operational lifetimes of the rubidium frequency standards compare poorly to the track record of the cesium frequency standards. Only a small number of rubidium frequency standards have actually been made operational. Of these, a large percentage have exhibited poor reliability. If this trend continues, it is unlikely that the rubidium frequency standards will help contribute to the navigation payload meeting program specification.

Efficient photoassociation of ultracold cesium atoms with picosecond pulse laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hai, Yang; Hu, Xue-Jin; Li, Jing-Lun; Cong, Shu-Lin

2017-08-01

We investigate theoretically the formation of ultracold Cs2 molecules via photoassociation (PA) with three kinds of pulses (the Gaussian pulse, the asymmetric shaped laser pulse SL1 with a large rising time and a small falling time and the asymmetric shaped laser pulse SL2 with a small rising time and a large falling time). For the three kinds of pulses, the final population on vibrational levels from v‧ = 120 to 175 of the excited state displays a regular oscillation change with pulse width and interaction strength, and a high PA efficiency can be achieved with optimised parameters. The PA efficiency in the excited state steered by the SL1-pulse (SL2-pulse) train with optimised parameters which is composed of four SL1 (SL2) pulses is 1.74 times as much as that by the single SL1 (SL2) pulse due to the population accumulation effect. Moreover, a dump laser is employed to transfer the excited molecules from the excited state to the vibrational level v″ = 12 of the ground state to obtain stable molecules.

All-optical spinor Bose-Einstein condensation and the spinor dynamics-driven atom laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundblad, Nathan Eric

Optical trapping as a viable means of exploring the physics of ultracold dilute atomic gases has revealed a new spectrum of physical phenomena. In particular, macroscopic and sudden occupation of the ground state below a critical temperature---a phenomenon known as Bose-Einstein condensation---has become an even richer system for the study of quantum mechanics, ultracold collisions, and many-body physics in general. Optical trapping liberates the spin degree of the BEC, making the order parameter vectorial ('spinor BEC'), as opposed to the scalar order of traditional magnetically trapped condensates. The work described within is divided into two main efforts. The first encompasses the all-optical creation of a Bose-Einstein condensate in rubidium vapor. An all-optical path to spinor BEC (as opposed to transfer to an optical trap from a magnetic trap condensate) was desired both for the simplicity of the experimental setup and also for the potential gains in speed of creation; evaporative cooling, the only known path to dilute-gas condensation, works only as efficiently as the rate of elastic collisions in the gas, a rate that starts out much higher in optical traps. The first all-optical BEC was formed elsewhere in 2001; the years following saw many groups worldwide seeking to create their own version. Our own all-optical spinor BEC, made with a single-beam dipole trap formed by a focused CO2 laser, is described here, with particular attention paid to trap loading, measurement of trap parameters, and the use of a novel 780 nm high-power laser system. The second part describes initial experiments performed with the nascent condensate. The spinor properties of the condensate are documented, and a measurement is made of the density-dependent rate of spin mixing in the condensate. In addition, we demonstrate a novel dual-beam atom laser formed by outcoupling oppositely polarized components of the condensate, whose populations have been coherently evolved through spin

Nodal Topological Phases in s-wave Superfluid of Ultracold Fermionic Gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Bei-Bing; Yang, Xiao-Sen

2018-02-01

The gapless Weyl superfluid has been widely studied in the three-dimensional ultracold fermionic superfluid. In contrast to Weyl superfluid, there exists another kind of gapless superfluid with topologically protected nodal lines, which can be regarded as the superfluid counterpart of nodal line semimetal in the condensed matter physics, just as Weyl superfluid with Weyl semimetal. In this paper we study the ground states of the cold fermionic gases in cubic optical lattices with one-dimensional spin-orbit coupling and transverse Zeeman field and map out the topological phase diagram of the system. We demonstrate that in addition to a fully gapped topologically trivial phase, some different nodal line superfluid phases appear when the Zeeman field is adjusted. The presence of topologically stable nodal lines implies the dispersionless zero-energy flat band in a finite region of the surface Brillouin zone. Experimentally these nodal line superfluid states can be detected via the momentum-resolved radio-frequency spectroscopy. The nodal line topological superfluid provide fertile grounds for exploring exotic quantum matters in the context of ultracold atoms. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos. 11547047 and 11504143

Interatomic interaction effects on second-order momentum correlations and Hong-Ou-Mandel interference of double-well-trapped ultracold fermionic atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandt, Benedikt B.; Yannouleas, Constantine; Landman, Uzi

2018-05-01

Identification and understanding of the evolution of interference patterns in two-particle momentum correlations as a function of the strength of interatomic interactions are important in explorations of the nature of quantum states of trapped particles. Together with the analysis of two-particle spatial correlations, they offer the prospect of uncovering fundamental symmetries and structure of correlated many-body states, as well as opening vistas into potential control and utilization of correlated quantum states as quantum-information resources. With the use of the second-order density matrix constructed via exact diagonalization of the microscopic Hamiltonian, and an analytic Hubbard-type model, we explore here the systematic evolution of characteristic interference patterns in the two-body momentum and spatial correlation maps of two entangled ultracold fermionic atoms in a double well, for the entire attractive- and repulsive-interaction range. We uncover quantum-statistics-governed bunching and antibunching, as well as interaction-dependent interference patterns, in the ground and excited states, and interpret our results in light of the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference physics, widely exploited in photon indistinguishability testing and quantum-information science.

High efficiency coherent optical memory with warm rubidium vapour

PubMed Central

Hosseini, M.; Sparkes, B.M.; Campbell, G.; Lam, P.K.; Buchler, B.C.

2011-01-01

By harnessing aspects of quantum mechanics, communication and information processing could be radically transformed. Promising forms of quantum information technology include optical quantum cryptographic systems and computing using photons for quantum logic operations. As with current information processing systems, some form of memory will be required. Quantum repeaters, which are required for long distance quantum key distribution, require quantum optical memory as do deterministic logic gates for optical quantum computing. Here, we present results from a coherent optical memory based on warm rubidium vapour and show 87% efficient recall of light pulses, the highest efficiency measured to date for any coherent optical memory suitable for quantum information applications. We also show storage and recall of up to 20 pulses from our system. These results show that simple warm atomic vapour systems have clear potential as a platform for quantum memory. PMID:21285952

High efficiency coherent optical memory with warm rubidium vapour.

PubMed

Hosseini, M; Sparkes, B M; Campbell, G; Lam, P K; Buchler, B C

2011-02-01

By harnessing aspects of quantum mechanics, communication and information processing could be radically transformed. Promising forms of quantum information technology include optical quantum cryptographic systems and computing using photons for quantum logic operations. As with current information processing systems, some form of memory will be required. Quantum repeaters, which are required for long distance quantum key distribution, require quantum optical memory as do deterministic logic gates for optical quantum computing. Here, we present results from a coherent optical memory based on warm rubidium vapour and show 87% efficient recall of light pulses, the highest efficiency measured to date for any coherent optical memory suitable for quantum information applications. We also show storage and recall of up to 20 pulses from our system. These results show that simple warm atomic vapour systems have clear potential as a platform for quantum memory.

Innovation and reliability of atomic standards for PTTI applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kern, R.

1981-01-01

Innovation and reliability in hyperfine frequency standards and clock systems are discussed. Hyperfine standards are defined as those precision frequency sources and clocks which use a hyperfine atomic transition for frequency control and which have realized significant commercial production and acceptance (cesium, hydrogen, and rubidium atoms). References to other systems such as thallium and ammonia are excluded since these atomic standards have not been commercially exploited in this country.

Production, Manipulation, and Applications of Ultracold Polar Molecules

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-30

molecules, cooling, trapping, photoassociation, feshbach resonances, quantum simulation , ultracold collisions, ultracold chemistry, optical lattices...been a multitude of less predictable outcomes: special quantum information processing schemes, uses of entanglement such a spin-squeezing for better...field seeing states to high-field-seeking states (and back) at key points in the magnetic field. The molecules spontaneously emit photons as they are

Many-body physics using cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundar, Bhuvanesh

Advances in experiments on dilute ultracold atomic gases have given us access to highly tunable quantum systems. In particular, there have been substantial improvements in achieving different kinds of interaction between atoms. As a result, utracold atomic gases oer an ideal platform to simulate many-body phenomena in condensed matter physics, and engineer other novel phenomena that are a result of the exotic interactions produced between atoms. In this dissertation, I present a series of studies that explore the physics of dilute ultracold atomic gases in different settings. In each setting, I explore a different form of the inter-particle interaction. Motivated by experiments which induce artificial spin-orbit coupling for cold fermions, I explore this system in my first project. In this project, I propose a method to perform universal quantum computation using the excitations of interacting spin-orbit coupled fermions, in which effective p-wave interactions lead to the formation of a topological superfluid. Motivated by experiments which explore the physics of exotic interactions between atoms trapped inside optical cavities, I explore this system in a second project. I calculate the phase diagram of lattice bosons trapped in an optical cavity, where the cavity modes mediates effective global range checkerboard interactions between the atoms. I compare this phase diagram with one that was recently measured experimentally. In two other projects, I explore quantum simulation of condensed matter phenomena due to spin-dependent interactions between particles. I propose a method to produce tunable spin-dependent interactions between atoms, using an optical Feshbach resonance. In one project, I use these spin-dependent interactions in an ultracold Bose-Fermi system, and propose a method to produce the Kondo model. I propose an experiment to directly observe the Kondo effect in this system. In another project, I propose using lattice bosons with a large hyperfine spin

High precision optical spectroscopy and quantum state selected photodissociation of ultracold 88Sr2 molecules in an optical lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, Mickey

2017-04-01

Over the past several decades, rapid progress has been made toward the accurate characterization and control of atoms, epitomized by the ever-increasing accuracy and precision of optical atomic lattice clocks. Extending this progress to molecules will have exciting implications for chemistry, condensed matter physics, and precision tests of physics beyond the Standard Model. My thesis describes work performed over the past six years to establish the state of the art in manipulation and quantum control of ultracold molecules. We describe a thorough set of measurements characterizing the rovibrational structure of weakly bound 88Sr2 molecules from several different perspectives, including determinations of binding energies; linear, quadratic, and higher order Zeeman shifts; transition strengths between bound states; and lifetimes of narrow subradiant states. Finally, we discuss measurements of photofragment angular distributions produced by photodissociation of molecules in single quantum states, leading to an exploration of quantum-state-resolved ultracold chemistry. The images of exploding photofragments produced in these studies exhibit dramatic interference effects and strongly violate semiclassical predictions, instead requiring a fully quantum mechanical description.

Cooperative resonances in light scattering from two-dimensional atomic arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahmoon, Ephraim; Wild, Dominik; Lukin, Mikhail; Yelin, Susanne

2017-04-01

We consider light scattering off a two-dimensional (2D) dipolar array and show how it can be tailored by properly choosing the lattice constant of the order of the incident wavelength. In particular, we demonstrate that such arrays can shape the emission pattern from an individual quantum emitter into a well-defined, collimated beam, and operate as a nearly perfect mirror for a wide range of incident angles and frequencies. These results can be understood in terms of the cooperative resonances of the surface modes supported by the 2D array. Experimental realizations are discussed, using ultracold arrays of trapped atoms and excitons in 2D semiconductor materials, as well as potential applications ranging from atomically thin metasurfaces to single photon nonlinear optics and nanomechanics. We acknowledge the financial support of the NSF and the MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms.

A quantum trampoline for ultra-cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robert-de-Saint-Vincent, M.; Brantut, J.-P.; Bordé, Ch. J.; Aspect, A.; Bourdel, T.; Bouyer, P.

2010-01-01

We have observed the interferometric suspension of a free-falling Bose-Einstein condensate periodically submitted to multiple-order diffraction by a vertical 1D standing wave. This scheme permits simultaneously the compensation of gravity and coherent splitting/recombination of the matter waves. It results in high-contrast interference in the number of atoms detected at constant height. For long suspension times, multiple-wave interference is revealed through a sharpening of the fringes. We characterize our atom interferometer and use it to measure the acceleration of gravity.

Sympathetic cooling of a membrane oscillator in a hybrid mechanical-atomic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jöckel, Andreas; Faber, Aline; Kampschulte, Tobias; Korppi, Maria; Rakher, Matthew T.; Treutlein, Philipp

2015-01-01

Sympathetic cooling with ultracold atoms and atomic ions enables ultralow temperatures in systems where direct laser or evaporative cooling is not possible. It has so far been limited to the cooling of other microscopic particles, with masses up to 90 times larger than that of the coolant atom. Here, we use ultracold atoms to sympathetically cool the vibrations of a Si3N4 nanomembrane, the mass of which exceeds that of the atomic ensemble by a factor of 1010. The coupling of atomic and membrane vibrations is mediated by laser light over a macroscopic distance and is enhanced by placing the membrane in an optical cavity. We observe cooling of the membrane vibrations from room temperature to 650 ± 230 mK, exploiting the large atom-membrane cooperativity of our hybrid optomechanical system. With technical improvements, our scheme could provide ground-state cooling and quantum control of low-frequency oscillators such as nanomembranes or levitated nanoparticles, in a regime where purely optomechanical techniques cannot reach the ground state.

The Road to DLCZ Protocol in Rubidium Ensemble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chang; Pu, Yunfei; Jiang, Nan; Chang, Wei; Zhang, Sheng; CenterQuantum Information, InstituteInterdisciplinary Information Sciences, Tsinghua Univ Team

2017-04-01

Quantum communication is the powerful approach achieving a fully secure information transferal. The DLCZ protocol ensures that photon linearly decays with transferring distance increasing, which improves the success potential and shortens the time to build up an entangled channel. Apart from that, it provides an advanced idea that building up a quantum internet based on different nodes connected to different sites and themselves. In our laboratory, three sets of laser-cooled Rubidium 87 ensemble have been built. Two of them serve as the single photon emitter, which generate the entanglement between ensemble and photon. What's more, crossed AODs are equipped to multiplex and demultiplex optical circuit so that ensemble is divided into 2 hundred of 2D sub-memory cells. And the third ensemble is used as quantum telecommunication, which converts 780nm photon into telecom-wavelength one. And we have been building double-MOT system, which provides more atoms in ensemble and larger optical density.

The Kinetics of Ouabain Inhibition and the Partition of Rubidium Influx in Human Red Blood Cells

PubMed Central

Beauge, L. A.; Adragna, Norma

1971-01-01

In the development of ouabain inhibition of rubidium influx in human red blood cells a time lag can be detected which is a function of at least three variables: the concentrations of external sodium, rubidium, and ouabain. The inhibition is antagonized by rubidium and favored by sodium. Similar considerations could be applied to the binding of ouabain to membrane sites. The total influx of rubidium as a function of external rubidium concentration can be separated into two components: (a) a linear uptake not affected by external sodium or ouabain and not requiring an energy supply, and (b) a saturable component. The latter component, on the basis of the different effects of the aforementioned factors, can be divided into three fractions. The first is ouabain-sensitive, inhibited by external sodium at low rubidium, and requires an energy supply; this represents about 70–80% of the total uptake and is related to the active sodium extrusion mechanism. The second is ouabain-insensitive, activated by external sodium over the entire range of rubidium concentrations studied, and dependent on internal ATP; this represents about 15% of the total influx; it could be coupled to an active sodium extrusion or belong to a rubidium-potassium exchange. The third, which can be called residual influx, is ouabain-insensitive, unaffected by external sodium, and independent of internal ATP; this represents about 10–20% of the total influx. PMID:5553102

Quantum Reactive Scattering of Ultracold K+KRb Reaction: Universality and Chaotic Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croft, J. F. E.; Makrides, C.; Li, M.; Petrov, A.; Kendrick, B. K.; Balakrishnan, N.; Kotochigova, S.

2017-04-01

A fundamental question in the study of chemical reactions is how reactions proceed at a collision energy close to absolute zero. This question is no longer hypothetical: quantum degenerate gases of atoms and molecules can now be created at temperatures lower than a few tens of nanoKelvin. In this talk, we discuss the benchmark ultracold reaction between, the most-celebrated ultracold molecule, KRb and K. We report numerically exact quantum-mechanical calculations of the K+KRb reaction on an accurate ab initio ground state potential energy surface of the K2Rb system and compare our results with available experimental data and predictions of universal models. The role of non-additive three-body contributions to the interaction potential is examined and is found to be small for the total reaction rates. However, the rotationally resolved rate coefficients are shown to be sensitive to the short-range interaction potential and follow a Poissonian distribution. This work was supported in part by NSF Grants PHY-1505557 (N.B.), PHY-1619788 (S.K.), ARO MURI Grant No. W911NF-12-1-0476 (N.B. & S.K.), and DOE LDRD Grant No. 20170221ER (B.K.).

Application Status of Rubidium, Cesium and Research Situation of its Separation from Brine with Solvent Extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Zhen; Du, Xuemin; Wang, Shiqiang; Guo, Yafei; Deng, Tianlong

2017-12-01

Rubidium, cesium and its compounds play an important role in traditional and high-tech fields. This paper focuses on the research status of separation rubidium and cesium in brine using solvent extraction, and briefly introduced the characteristics of this method, which can be used to realize industrial production of rubidium and cesium from brine.

Laser and Optical Subsystem for NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohel, James; Kellogg, James; Elliott, Ethan; Krutzik, Markus; Aveline, David; Thompson, Robert

2016-05-01

We describe the design and validation of the laser and optics subsystem for NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL), a multi-user facility being developed at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for studies of ultra-cold quantum gases in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station. Ultra-cold atoms will be generated in CAL by employing a combination of laser cooling techniques and evaporative cooling in a microchip-based magnetic trap. Laser cooling and absorption imaging detection of bosonic mixtures of 87 Rb and 39 K or 41 K will be accomplished using a high-power (up to 500 mW ex-fiber), frequency-agile dual wavelength (767 nm and 780 nm) laser and optical subsystem. The CAL laser and optical subsystem also includes the capability to generate high-power multi-frequency optical pulses at 784.87 nm to realize a dual-species Bragg atom interferometer. Currently at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

Time-Dependent Wave Packet Dynamics Calculations of Cross Sections for Ultracold Scattering of Molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Jiayu; Liu, Shu; Zhang, Dong H.; Krems, Roman V.

2018-04-01

Because the de Broglie wavelength of ultracold molecules is very large, the cross sections for collisions of molecules at ultracold temperatures are always computed by the time-independent quantum scattering approach. Here, we report the first accurate time-dependent wave packet dynamics calculation for reactive scattering of ultracold molecules. Wave packet dynamics calculations can be applied to molecular systems with more dimensions and provide real-time information on the process of bond rearrangement and/or energy exchange in molecular collisions. Our work thus makes possible the extension of rigorous quantum calculations of ultracold reaction properties to polyatomic molecules and adds a new powerful tool for the study of ultracold chemistry.

Time-Dependent Wave Packet Dynamics Calculations of Cross Sections for Ultracold Scattering of Molecules.

PubMed

Huang, Jiayu; Liu, Shu; Zhang, Dong H; Krems, Roman V

2018-04-06

Because the de Broglie wavelength of ultracold molecules is very large, the cross sections for collisions of molecules at ultracold temperatures are always computed by the time-independent quantum scattering approach. Here, we report the first accurate time-dependent wave packet dynamics calculation for reactive scattering of ultracold molecules. Wave packet dynamics calculations can be applied to molecular systems with more dimensions and provide real-time information on the process of bond rearrangement and/or energy exchange in molecular collisions. Our work thus makes possible the extension of rigorous quantum calculations of ultracold reaction properties to polyatomic molecules and adds a new powerful tool for the study of ultracold chemistry.

Rubidium-87 gas cell studies, phase 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanier, J.

1973-01-01

A description is given of the development of a compact rubidium-87 maser. Data cover the electronic control system for the maser itself and a superhetrodyne receiver capable of locking a crystal oscillator to the maser signal.

Two-stage crossed beam cooling with ⁶Li and ¹³³Cs atoms in microgravity.

PubMed

Luan, Tian; Yao, Hepeng; Wang, Lu; Li, Chen; Yang, Shifeng; Chen, Xuzong; Ma, Zhaoyuan

2015-05-04

Applying the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method developed for ultracold Bose-Fermi mixture gases research, we study the sympathetic cooling process of 6Li and 133Cs atoms in a crossed optical dipole trap. The obstacles to producing 6Li Fermi degenerate gas via direct sympathetic cooling with 133Cs are also analyzed, by which we find that the side-effect of the gravity is one of the main obstacles. Based on the dynamic nature of 6Li and 133Cs atoms, we suggest a two-stage cooling process with two pairs of crossed beams in microgravity environment. According to our simulations, the temperature of 6Li atoms can be cooled to T = 29.5 pK and T/TF = 0.59 with several thousand atoms, which propose a novel way to get ultracold fermion atoms with quantum degeneracy near pico-Kelvin.

Reaching Higher Gamma in Ultracold Neutral Plasmas Through Disorder-Induced Heating Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-27

shielding ,” Phys. Rev. E 87, 033101 (2013) 4 Sequential ionization of ultracold plasma ions A simulation published in 2007 by Michael Murillo showed...AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2017-0031 Reaching higher Gamma in ultracold neutral plasmas through disorder-induced heating control Scott Bergeson BRIGHAM YOUNG...TYPE Final Report 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) 01 June 2012 - 31 May 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Reaching higher Gamma in ultracold neutral plasmas

Plasma oscillations in spherical Gaussian shaped ultracold neutral plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Tianxing; Lu, Ronghua, E-mail: lurh@siom.ac.cn; Guo, Li

2016-04-15

The collective plasma oscillations are investigated in ultracold neutral plasma with a non-uniform density profile. Instead of the plane configuration widely used, we derive the plasma oscillation equations with spherically symmetric distribution and Gaussian density profile. The damping of radial oscillation is found. The Tonks–Dattner resonances of the ultracold neutral plasma with an applied RF field are also calculated.

Formation of ultracold molecules induced by a high-power single-frequency fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandes Passagem, Henry; Colín-Rodríguez, Ricardo; Ventura da Silva, Paulo Cesar; Bouloufa-Maafa, Nadia; Dulieu, Olivier; Marcassa, Luis Gustavo

2017-02-01

The influence of a high-power single-frequency fiber laser on the formation of ultracold 85Rb2 molecules is investigated as a function of its frequency (in the 1062-1070 nm range) in a magneto-optical trap. We find evidence for the formation of ground-state 85Rb2 molecules in low vibrational levels (v≤slant 20) with a maximal rate of 104 s-1, induced by short-range photoassociation by the fiber laser followed by spontaneous emission. When this laser is used to set up a dipole trap, we measure an atomic loss rate at a wavelength far from the PA resonances, only four times smaller than that observed at a PA resonance wavelength. This work may have important consequences for atom trapping using lasers around the conventional 1064 nm wavelength.

Photon-photon entanglement with a single trapped atom.

PubMed

Weber, B; Specht, H P; Müller, T; Bochmann, J; Mücke, M; Moehring, D L; Rempe, G

2009-01-23

An experiment is performed where a single rubidium atom trapped within a high-finesse optical cavity emits two independently triggered entangled photons. The entanglement is mediated by the atom and is characterized both by a Bell inequality violation of S=2.5, as well as full quantum-state tomography, resulting in a fidelity exceeding F=90%. The combination of cavity-QED and trapped atom techniques makes our protocol inherently deterministic--an essential step for the generation of scalable entanglement between the nodes of a distributed quantum network.

Atomic vapor quantum memory for a photonic polarization qubit.

PubMed

Cho, Young-Wook; Kim, Yoon-Ho

2010-12-06

We report an experimental realization of an atomic vapor quantum memory for the photonic polarization qubit. The performance of the quantum memory for the polarization qubit, realized with electromagnetically-induced transparency in two spatially separated ensembles of warm Rubidium atoms in a single vapor cell, has been characterized with quantum process tomography. The process fidelity better than 0.91 for up to 16 μs of storage time has been achieved.

Role of Feshbach resonances in enhancing the production of deeply bound ultracold LiRb molecules with laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gacesa, Marko; Ghosal, Subhas; Côté, Robin

2010-03-01

We investigate the possibility of forming deeply bound LiRb molecules in a two-color photoassociation experiment. Ultracold ^6Li and ^87Rb atoms colliding in the vicinity of a magnetic Feshbach resonance are photoassociated into an excited electronic state. A wavepacket is then formed by exciting a few vibrational levels of the excited state and allowed to propagate. We calculate the time-dependent overlaps between the wave packet and the lowest vibrational levels of the ground state. After the optimal overlap is obtained we use the second laser pulse to dump the wave packet and efficiently populate the deeply bound ro-vibrational levels of ^6Li^87Rb in the ground state. The resulting combination of Feshbach-optimized photoassociation (FOPA) with the time-dependent pump-dump approach will produce a large number of stable ultracold molecules in the ground state. This technique is general and applicable to other systems.

SO(3) "Nuclear Physics" with ultracold Gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rico, E.; Dalmonte, M.; Zoller, P.; Banerjee, D.; Bögli, M.; Stebler, P.; Wiese, U.-J.

2018-06-01

An ab initio calculation of nuclear physics from Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the fundamental SU(3) gauge theory of the strong interaction, remains an outstanding challenge. Here, we discuss the emergence of key elements of nuclear physics using an SO(3) lattice gauge theory as a toy model for QCD. We show that this model is accessible to state-of-the-art quantum simulation experiments with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. First, we demonstrate that our model shares characteristic many-body features with QCD, such as the spontaneous breakdown of chiral symmetry, its restoration at finite baryon density, as well as the existence of few-body bound states. Then we show that in the one-dimensional case, the dynamics in the gauge invariant sector can be encoded as a spin S = 3/2 Heisenberg model, i.e., as quantum magnetism, which has a natural realization with bosonic mixtures in optical lattices, and thus sheds light on the connection between non-Abelian gauge theories and quantum magnetism.

From ultracold Fermi Gases to Neutron Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salomon, Christophe

2012-02-01

Ultracold dilute atomic gases can be considered as model systems to address some pending problem in Many-Body physics that occur in condensed matter systems, nuclear physics, and astrophysics. We have developed a general method to probe with high precision the thermodynamics of locally homogeneous ultracold Bose and Fermi gases [1,2,3]. This method allows stringent tests of recent many-body theories. For attractive spin 1/2 fermions with tunable interaction (^6Li), we will show that the gas thermodynamic properties can continuously change from those of weakly interacting Cooper pairs described by Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory to those of strongly bound molecules undergoing Bose-Einstein condensation. First, we focus on the finite-temperature Equation of State (EoS) of the unpolarized unitary gas. Surprisingly, the low-temperature properties of the strongly interacting normal phase are well described by Fermi liquid theory [3] and we localize the superfluid phase transition. A detailed comparison with theories including recent Monte-Carlo calculations will be presented. Moving away from the unitary gas, the Lee-Huang-Yang and Lee-Yang beyond-mean-field corrections for low density bosonic and fermionic superfluids are quantitatively measured for the first time. Despite orders of magnitude difference in density and temperature, our equation of state can be used to describe low density neutron matter such as the outer shell of neutron stars. [4pt] [1] S. Nascimbène, N. Navon, K. Jiang, F. Chevy, and C. Salomon, Nature 463, 1057 (2010) [0pt] [2] N. Navon, S. Nascimbène, F. Chevy, and C. Salomon, Science 328, 729 (2010) [0pt] [3] S. Nascimbène, N. Navon, S. Pilati, F. Chevy, S. Giorgini, A. Georges, and C. Salomon, Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 215303 (2011)

Quantum measurement-induced antiferromagnetic order and density modulations in ultracold Fermi gases in optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzucchi, Gabriel; Caballero-Benitez, Santiago F.; Mekhov, Igor B.

2016-08-01

Ultracold atomic systems offer a unique tool for understanding behavior of matter in the quantum degenerate regime, promising studies of a vast range of phenomena covering many disciplines from condensed matter to quantum information and particle physics. Coupling these systems to quantized light fields opens further possibilities of observing delicate effects typical of quantum optics in the context of strongly correlated systems. Measurement backaction is one of the most funda- mental manifestations of quantum mechanics and it is at the core of many famous quantum optics experiments. Here we show that quantum backaction of weak measurement can be used for tailoring long-range correlations of ultracold fermions, realizing quantum states with spatial modulations of the density and magnetization, thus overcoming usual requirement for a strong interatomic interactions. We propose detection schemes for implementing antiferromagnetic states and density waves. We demonstrate that such long-range correlations cannot be realized with local addressing, and they are a consequence of the competition between global but spatially structured backaction of weak quantum measurement and unitary dynamics of fermions.

Superstatistical Energy Distributions of an Ion in an Ultracold Buffer Gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rouse, I.; Willitsch, S.

2017-04-01

An ion in a radio frequency ion trap interacting with a buffer gas of ultracold neutral atoms is a driven dynamical system which has been found to develop a nonthermal energy distribution with a power law tail. The exact analytical form of this distribution is unknown, but has often been represented empirically by q -exponential (Tsallis) functions. Based on the concepts of superstatistics, we introduce a framework for the statistical mechanics of an ion trapped in an rf field subject to collisions with a buffer gas. We derive analytic ion secular energy distributions from first principles both neglecting and including the effects of the thermal energy of the buffer gas. For a buffer gas with a finite temperature, we prove that Tsallis statistics emerges from the combination of a constant heating term and multiplicative energy fluctuations. We show that the resulting distributions essentially depend on experimentally controllable parameters paving the way for an accurate control of the statistical properties of ion-atom hybrid systems.

Strategic Applications of Ultra-Cold Atoms

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-07

journals or in conference proceedings (N/A for none) 68.00Number of Papers published in peer-reviewed journals: Wolfgang Ketterle: New Frontiers with...Helmerson, V.S. Bagnato (American Institute of Physics, 2005) pp. 25-29. Wolfgang Ketterle: The Bose-Einstein Condensate- a Superfluid Gas of Coherent Atoms...Vuletic 0.10 No Wolfgang Ketterle 0.10 Yes David Pritchard 0.10 Yes Mara Prentiss 0.10 No 0.80FTE Equivalent: 8Total Number: Names of Under

High-precision multiband spectroscopy of ultracold fermions in a nonseparable optical lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fläschner, Nick; Tarnowski, Matthias; Rem, Benno S.; Vogel, Dominik; Sengstock, Klaus; Weitenberg, Christof

2018-05-01

Spectroscopic tools are fundamental for the understanding of complex quantum systems. Here, we demonstrate high-precision multiband spectroscopy in a graphenelike lattice using ultracold fermionic atoms. From the measured band structure, we characterize the underlying lattice potential with a relative error of 1.2 ×10-3 . Such a precise characterization of complex lattice potentials is an important step towards precision measurements of quantum many-body systems. Furthermore, we explain the excitation strengths into different bands with a model and experimentally study their dependency on the symmetry of the perturbation operator. This insight suggests the excitation strengths as a suitable observable for interaction effects on the eigenstates.

Matterwave interferometric velocimetry of cold Rb atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carey, Max; Belal, Mohammad; Himsworth, Matthew; Bateman, James; Freegarde, Tim

2018-03-01

We consider the matterwave interferometric measurement of atomic velocities, which forms a building block for all matterwave inertial measurements. A theoretical analysis, addressing both the laboratory and atomic frames and accounting for residual Doppler sensitivity in the beamsplitter and recombiner pulses, is followed by an experimental demonstration, with measurements of the velocity distribution within a 20 ?K cloud of rubidium atoms. Our experiments use Raman transitions between the long-lived ground hyperfine states, and allow quadrature measurements that yield the full complex interferometer signal and hence discriminate between positive and negative velocities. The technique is most suitable for measurement of colder samples.

Matterwave interferometric velocimetry of cold Rb atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carey, Max; Belal, Mohammad; Himsworth, Matthew; Bateman, James; Freegarde, Tim

2018-02-01

We consider the matterwave interferometric measurement of atomic velocities, which forms a building block for all matterwave inertial measurements. A theoretical analysis, addressing both the laboratory and atomic frames and accounting for residual Doppler sensitivity in the beamsplitter and recombiner pulses, is followed by an experimental demonstration, with measurements of the velocity distribution within a 20 $\\mu$K cloud of rubidium atoms. Our experiments use Raman transitions between the long-lived ground hyperfine states, and allow quadrature measurements that yield the full complex interferometer signal and hence discriminate between positive and negative velocities. The technique is most suitable for measurement of colder samples.

Solid-state ensemble of highly entangled photon sources at rubidium atomic transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zopf, Michael; Keil, Robert; Chen, Yan; HöFer, Bianca; Zhang, Jiaxiang; Ding, Fei; Schmidt, Oliver G.

Semiconductor InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown by the Stranski-Krastanov method are among the leading candidates for the deterministic generation of polarization entangled photon pairs. Despite remarkable progress in the last twenty years, many challenges still remain for this material, such as the extremely low yield (< 1% quantum dots can emit entangled photons), the low degree of entanglement, and the large wavelength distribution. Here we show that, with an emerging family of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots grown by droplet etching and nanohole infilling, it is possible to obtain a large ensemble (close to 100%) of polarization-entangled photon emitters on a wafer without any post-growth tuning. Under pulsed resonant two-photon excitation, all measured quantum dots emit single pairs of entangled photons with ultra-high purity, high degree of entanglement (fidelity up to F=0.91, with a record high concurrence C=0.90), and ultra-narrow wavelength distribution at rubidium transitions. Therefore, a solid-state quantum repeater - among many other key enabling quantum photonic elements - can be practically implemented with this new material. Financially supported by BMBF Q.Com-H (16KIS0106) and the Euro- pean Union Seventh Framework Programme 209 (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement No. 601126 210 (HANAS).

Control of Ultracold Photodissociation with Magnetic Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, M.; Majewska, I.; Lee, C.-H.; Kondov, S. S.; McGuyer, B. H.; Moszynski, R.; Zelevinsky, T.

2018-01-01

Photodissociation of a molecule produces a spatial distribution of photofragments determined by the molecular structure and the characteristics of the dissociating light. Performing this basic reaction at ultracold temperatures allows its quantum mechanical features to dominate. In this regime, weak applied fields can be used to control the reaction. Here, we photodissociate ultracold diatomic strontium in magnetic fields below 10 G and observe striking changes in photofragment angular distributions. The observations are in excellent agreement with a multichannel quantum chemistry model that includes nonadiabatic effects and predicts strong mixing of partial waves in the photofragment energy continuum. The experiment is enabled by precise quantum-state control of the molecules.

Excitation of higher lying energy states in a rubidium DPAL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wallerstein, A. J.; Perram, Glen; Rice, Christopher A.

2018-02-01

The spontaneous emission in a cw rubidium diode dumped alkali laser (DPAL) system was analyzed. The fluorescence from higher lying states decreases with additional buffer gas. The intermediate states (7S, 6P, 5D) decay more slowly with buffer gas and scale super-linearly with alkali density. A detailed kinetic model has been constructed, where the dominant mechanisms are energy pooling and single photon ionization. It also includes pumping into the non-Lorentzian wings of absorption profiles, fine structure mixing, collisional de-excitation, and Penning ionization. Effects of ionization in a high powered CW rubidium DPAL were assessed.

Operational frequency stability of rubidium and cesium frequency standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lavery, J. E.

1973-01-01

The frequency stabilities under operational conditions of several commercially available rubidium and cesium frequency standards were determined from experimental data for frequency averaging times from 10 to the 7th power s and are presented in table and graph form. For frequency averaging times between 10 to the 5th power and 10 to the 7th power s, the rubidium standards tested have a stability of between 10 to the minus 12th power and 5 x 10 to the minus 12th power, while the cesium standards have a stability of between 2 x 10 to the minus 13th power and 5 x 10 to the minus 13th power.

Theoretical analyses of an injection-locked diode-pumped rubidium vapor laser.

PubMed

Cai, He; Gao, Chunqing; Liu, Xiaoxu; Wang, Shunyan; Yu, Hang; Rong, Kepeng; An, Guofei; Han, Juhong; Zhang, Wei; Wang, Hongyuan; Wang, You

2018-04-02

Diode-pumped alkali lasers (DPALs) have drawn much attention since they were proposed in 2001. The narrow-linewidth DPAL can be potentially applied in the fields of coherent communication, laser radar, and atomic spectroscopy. In this study, we propose a novel protocol to narrow the width of one kind of DPAL, diode-pumped rubidium vapor laser (DPRVL), by use of an injection locking technique. A kinetic model is first set up for an injection-locked DPRVL with the end-pumped configuration. The laser tunable duration is also analyzed for a continuous wave (CW) injection-locked DPRVL system. Then, the influences of the pump power, power of a master laser, and reflectance of an output coupler on the output performance are theoretically analyzed. The study should be useful for design of a narrow-linewidth DPAL with the relatively high output.

Trapped atoms along nanophotonic resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fields, Brian; Kim, May; Chang, Tzu-Han; Hung, Chen-Lung

2017-04-01

Many-body systems subject to long-range interactions have remained a very challenging topic experimentally. Ultracold atoms trapped in extreme proximity to the surface of nanophotonic structures provides a dynamic system combining the strong atom-atom interactions mediated by guided mode photons with the exquisite control implemented with trapped atom systems. The hybrid system promises pair-wise tunability of long-range interactions between atomic pseudo spins, allowing studies of quantum magnetism extending far beyond nearest neighbor interactions. In this talk, we will discuss our current status developing high quality nanophotonic ring resonators, engineered on CMOS compatible optical chips with integrated nanostructures that, in combination with a side illuminating beam, can realize stable atom traps approximately 100nm above the surface. We will report on our progress towards loading arrays of cold atoms near the surface of these structures and studying atom-atom interaction mediated by photons with high cooperativity.

Exploiting Universality in Atoms with Large Scattering Lengths

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Braaten, Eric

2012-05-31

The focus of this research project was atoms with scattering lengths that are large compared to the range of their interactions and which therefore exhibit universal behavior at sufficiently low energies. Recent dramatic advances in cooling atoms and in manipulating their scattering lengths have made this phenomenon of practical importance for controlling ultracold atoms and molecules. This research project was aimed at developing a systematically improvable method for calculating few-body observables for atoms with large scattering lengths starting from the universal results as a first approximation. Significant progress towards this goal was made during the five years of the project.

Spin-Orbit Interactions and Quantum Spin Dynamics in Cold Ion-Atom Collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tscherbul, Timur V.; Brumer, Paul; Buchachenko, Alexei A.

2016-09-01

We present accurate ab initio and quantum scattering calculations on a prototypical hybrid ion-atom system Yb+ -Rb, recently suggested as a promising candidate for the experimental study of open quantum systems, quantum information processing, and quantum simulation. We identify the second-order spin-orbit (SO) interaction as the dominant source of hyperfine relaxation in cold Yb+ -Rb collisions. Our results are in good agreement with recent experimental observations [L. Ratschbacher et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 160402 (2013)] of hyperfine relaxation rates of trapped Yb+ immersed in an ultracold Rb gas. The calculated rates are 4 times smaller than is predicted by the Langevin capture theory and display a weak T-0.3 temperature dependence, indicating significant deviations from statistical behavior. Our analysis underscores the deleterious nature of the SO interaction and implies that light ion-atom combinations such as Yb+ -Li should be used to minimize hyperfine relaxation and decoherence of trapped ions in ultracold atomic gases.

New Experimental Approaches and Theoretical Modeling Methods for Laser Cooling Atoms and Molecules

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-07-27

support of experimental efforts in various laboratories to produce ultracold molecules by laser -induced photoassociation of laser -cooled atoms. We are......temperatures so far have been 25mK [7], rather than tens of µK as one can achieve with laser cooling of atoms. Thus an approach that begins with cold

Resonance dispersion interaction of alkali metal atoms in Rydberg states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamenski, A. A.; Mokhnenko, S. N.; Ovsyannikov, V. D.

2017-06-01

With the use of second-order perturbation theory in the long-range interatomic interaction for the degenerate states of two Rydberg atoms we have obtained a general formula for the dependence of atomic interaction energy on the interatomic distance R in the presence of the Förster resonance. Inside of the ‘Förster sphere’ (R < RF) this dependence transforms to the formula for electric dipole interaction energy ΔEd - d = C3/R3 and for R > RF it transforms to the formula for the van der Waals interaction energy ΔEVdW = -C6/R6. The van der Waals constant C6 is represented as an expansion in terms of irreducible components which define the dependence on the interatomic axis orientation relative to the quantisation axis of projections M of the total angular momentum J. The numerical values of the irreducible components of tensor C6 were calculated for rubidium atoms in the same Rydberg states |nlJM> with large quantum numbers n. We present the calculated resonance interaction energy of two rubidium atoms in the states |43D5/2M>, whose total energy exceeds by only 8 MHz the total energy of one of the atoms in the state |45P3/2M> and of the other in the state |41F7/2M>.

Parallel Low-Loss Measurement of Multiple Atomic Qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Minho; Ebert, Matthew F.; Walker, Thad G.; Saffman, M.

2017-11-01

We demonstrate low-loss measurement of the hyperfine ground state of rubidium atoms by state dependent fluorescence detection in a dipole trap array of five sites. The presence of atoms and their internal states are minimally altered by utilizing circularly polarized probe light and a strictly controlled quantization axis. We achieve mean state detection fidelity of 97% without correcting for imperfect state preparation or background losses, and 98.7% when corrected. After state detection and correction for background losses, the probability of atom loss due to the state measurement is <2 % and the initial hyperfine state is preserved with >98 % probability.

Probing topology by "heating": Quantized circular dichroism in ultracold atoms.

PubMed

Tran, Duc Thanh; Dauphin, Alexandre; Grushin, Adolfo G; Zoller, Peter; Goldman, Nathan

2017-08-01

We reveal an intriguing manifestation of topology, which appears in the depletion rate of topological states of matter in response to an external drive. This phenomenon is presented by analyzing the response of a generic two-dimensional (2D) Chern insulator subjected to a circular time-periodic perturbation. Because of the system's chiral nature, the depletion rate is shown to depend on the orientation of the circular shake; taking the difference between the rates obtained from two opposite orientations of the drive, and integrating over a proper drive-frequency range, provides a direct measure of the topological Chern number (ν) of the populated band: This "differential integrated rate" is directly related to the strength of the driving field through the quantized coefficient η 0 = ν/ ℏ 2 , where h = 2π ℏ is Planck's constant. Contrary to the integer quantum Hall effect, this quantized response is found to be nonlinear with respect to the strength of the driving field, and it explicitly involves interband transitions. We investigate the possibility of probing this phenomenon in ultracold gases and highlight the crucial role played by edge states in this effect. We extend our results to 3D lattices, establishing a link between depletion rates and the nonlinear photogalvanic effect predicted for Weyl semimetals. The quantized circular dichroism revealed in this work designates depletion rate measurements as a universal probe for topological order in quantum matter.

Mode-Locked Deceleration of Molecular Beams: Physics with Ultracold Molecules

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-07

AFRL-AFOSR-VA-TR-2017-0035 Mode-Locked Deceleration of Molecular Beams: Physics with Ultracold Molecules Wesley Campbell UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA...REPORT TYPE Final 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) April 2013 - June 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Mode-Locked Deceleration of Molecular Beams: Physics with...of Molecular Beams: Physics with Ultracold Molecules" P.I. Wesley C. Campbell Report Period: April 1, 2013- March 30, 2016 As a direct result of

The charge imbalance in ultracold plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Tianxing; Lu, Ronghua, E-mail: lurh@siom.ac.cn; Guo, Li

2016-09-15

Ultracold plasmas are regarded as quasineutral but not strictly neutral. The results of charge imbalance in the expansion of ultracold plasmas are reported. The calculations are performed by a full molecular-dynamics simulation. The details of the electron velocity distributions are calculated without the assumption of electron global thermal equilibrium and Boltzmann distribution. Spontaneous evolutions of the charge imbalance from the initial states with perfect neutrality are given in the simulations. The expansion of outer plasma slows down with the charge imbalance. The influences of plasma size and parameters on the charge imbalance are discussed. The radial profiles of electron temperaturemore » are given for the first time, and the self-similar expansion can still occur even if there is no global thermal equilibrium. The electron disorder induced heating is also found in the simulation.« less

Spatial shaping for generating arbitrary optical dipole traps for ultracold degenerate gases

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Jeffrey G., E-mail: jglee@umd.edu; Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742; Hill, W. T., E-mail: wth@umd.edu

2014-10-15

We present two spatial-shaping approaches – phase and amplitude – for creating two-dimensional optical dipole potentials for ultracold neutral atoms. When combined with an attractive or repulsive Gaussian sheet formed by an astigmatically focused beam, atoms are trapped in three dimensions resulting in planar confinement with an arbitrary network of potentials – a free-space atom chip. The first approach utilizes an adaptation of the generalized phase-contrast technique to convert a phase structure embedded in a beam after traversing a phase mask, to an identical intensity profile in the image plane. Phase masks, and a requisite phase-contrast filter, can be chemicallymore » etched into optical material (e.g., fused silica) or implemented with spatial light modulators; etching provides the highest quality while spatial light modulators enable prototyping and realtime structure modification. This approach was demonstrated on an ensemble of thermal atoms. Amplitude shaping is possible when the potential structure is made as an opaque mask in the path of a dipole trap beam, followed by imaging the shadow onto the plane of the atoms. While much more lossy, this very simple and inexpensive approach can produce dipole potentials suitable for containing degenerate gases. High-quality amplitude masks can be produced with standard photolithography techniques. Amplitude shaping was demonstrated on a Bose-Einstein condensate.« less

Entanglement between two spatially separated atomic modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lange, Karsten; Peise, Jan; Lücke, Bernd; Kruse, Ilka; Vitagliano, Giuseppe; Apellaniz, Iagoba; Kleinmann, Matthias; Tóth, Géza; Klempt, Carsten

2018-04-01

Modern quantum technologies in the fields of quantum computing, quantum simulation, and quantum metrology require the creation and control of large ensembles of entangled particles. In ultracold ensembles of neutral atoms, nonclassical states have been generated with mutual entanglement among thousands of particles. The entanglement generation relies on the fundamental particle-exchange symmetry in ensembles of identical particles, which lacks the standard notion of entanglement between clearly definable subsystems. Here, we present the generation of entanglement between two spatially separated clouds by splitting an ensemble of ultracold identical particles prepared in a twin Fock state. Because the clouds can be addressed individually, our experiments open a path to exploit the available entangled states of indistinguishable particles for quantum information applications.

An atomic clock with 10(-18) instability.

PubMed

Hinkley, N; Sherman, J A; Phillips, N B; Schioppo, M; Lemke, N D; Beloy, K; Pizzocaro, M; Oates, C W; Ludlow, A D

2013-09-13

Atomic clocks have been instrumental in science and technology, leading to innovations such as global positioning, advanced communications, and tests of fundamental constant variation. Timekeeping precision at 1 part in 10(18) enables new timing applications in relativistic geodesy, enhanced Earth- and space-based navigation and telescopy, and new tests of physics beyond the standard model. Here, we describe the development and operation of two optical lattice clocks, both using spin-polarized, ultracold atomic ytterbium. A measurement comparing these systems demonstrates an unprecedented atomic clock instability of 1.6 × 10(-18) after only 7 hours of averaging.

Geometric phase effects in ultracold hydrogen exchange reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naduvalath, Balakrishnan; Croft, James F. E.; Hazra, Jisha; Kendrick, Brian K.

2017-04-01

Electronically non-adiabatic effects play an important role in many chemical reactions. The geometric phase, also known as the Berry's phase, arises from the adiabatic transport of the electronic wave function around a conical intersection between two electronic potential energy surfaces. It is shown that in ultracold collisions of H and D atoms with vibrationally excited HD, inclusion of the geometric phase leads to constructive and destructive interferences between non-reactive and exchange components of the wave function. This results in strong enhancement or suppression of reactivity depending on the final rovibrational levels of the scattered HD molecules. The effect is illustrated for non-rotating and rotationally excited HD molecules in the v = 4 vibrational level for which the H+HD and D+HD reactions occur through a barrierless path. This work was supported in part by NSF Grant PHY-1505557 (N.B.), ARO MURI Grant No. W911NF-12-1-0476 (N.B.), and DOE LDRD Grant No. 20170221ER (B.K.).

Hyperfine structure of 2Σ molecules containing alkaline-earth-metal atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aldegunde, Jesus; Hutson, Jeremy M.

2018-04-01

Ultracold molecules with both electron spin and an electric dipole moment offer new possibilities in quantum science. We use density-functional theory to calculate hyperfine coupling constants for a selection of molecules important in this area, including RbSr, LiYb, RbYb, CaF, and SrF. We find substantial hyperfine coupling constants for the fermionic isotopes of the alkaline-earth-metal and Yb atoms. We discuss the hyperfine level patterns and Zeeman splittings expected for these molecules. The results will be important both to experiments aimed at forming ultracold open-shell molecules and to their applications.

Influence of modulation frequency in rubidium cell frequency standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Audoin, C.; Viennet, J.; Cyr, N.; Vanier, J.

1983-01-01

The error signal which is used to control the frequency of the quartz crystal oscillator of a passive rubidium cell frequency standard is considered. The value of the slope of this signal, for an interrogation frequency close to the atomic transition frequency is calculated and measured for various phase (or frequency) modulation waveforms, and for several values of the modulation frequency. A theoretical analysis is made using a model which applies to a system in which the optical pumping rate, the relaxation rates and the RF field are homogeneous. Results are given for sine-wave phase modulation, square-wave frequency modulation and square-wave phase modulation. The influence of the modulation frequency on the slope of the error signal is specified. It is shown that the modulation frequency can be chosen as large as twice the non-saturated full-width at half-maximum without a drastic loss of the sensitivity to an offset of the interrogation frequency from center line, provided that the power saturation factor and the amplitude of modulation are properly adjusted.

Optical atomic clocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poli, N.; Oates, C. W.; Gill, P.; Tino, G. M.

2013-12-01

In the last ten years extraordinary results in time and frequency metrology have been demonstrated. Frequency-stabilization techniques for continuous-wave lasers and femtosecond optical frequency combs have enabled a rapid development of frequency standards based on optical transitions in ultra-cold neutral atoms and trapped ions. As a result, today's best performing atomic clocks tick at an optical rate and allow scientists to perform high-resolution measurements with a precision approaching a few parts in 1018. This paper reviews the history and the state of the art in optical-clock research and addresses the implementation of optical clocks in a possible future redefinition of the SI second as well as in tests of fundamental physics.

Atom chips with free-standing two-dimensional electron gases: advantages and challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinuco-León, G. A.; Krüger, P.; Fromhold, T. M.

2018-03-01

In this work, we consider the advantages and challenges of using free-standing two-dimensional electron gases (2DEG) as active components in atom chips for manipulating ultracold ensembles of alkali atoms. We calculate trapping parameters achievable with typical high-mobility 2DEGs in an atom chip configuration and identify advantages of this system for trapping atoms at sub-micron distances from the atom chip. We show how the sensitivity of atomic gases to magnetic field inhomogeneity can be exploited for controlling the atoms with quantum electronic devices and, conversely, using the atoms to probe the structural and transport properties of semiconductor devices.

Observation of Resonant Effects in Ultracold Collisions between Heteronuclear Feshbach Molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Xin; Wang, Fudong; Zhu, Bing; Guo, Mingyang; Lu, Bo; Wang, Dajun

2016-05-01

Magnetic field dependent dimer-dimer collisional losses are studied with ultracold 23 Na87 Rb Feshbach molecules. By ramping the magnetic field across the 347.8 G inter-species Feshbach resonance and removing residual atoms with a magnetic field gradient, ~ 8000 pure NaRb Feshbach molecules with a temperature below 1 μK are produced. By holding the pure molecule sample in a crossed optical dipole trap and measuring the time-dependent loss curves under different magnetic fields near the Feshbach resonance, the dimer-dimer loss rates with respect to the atomic scattering length a are mapped out. We observe a resonant feature at around a = 600a0 and a rising tail at above a = 1600a0 . This behavior resembles previous theoretical works on homonuclear Feshbach molecule, where resonant effects between dimer-dimer collisions tied to tetramer bound states were predicted. Our work shows the possibility of exploring four-body physics within a heteronuclear system. We are supported by Hong Kong RGC General Research Fund no. CUHK403813.

Modeling Strongly Correlated Fermi Systems Using Ultra-Cold Atoms

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-06-28

the two-dimensional Hubbard model on a square lattice ( a model which is purported to describe the high-temperature superconducting cuprates...beams and (2) stroboscopically alternating the beams very rapidly (~100 kHz) such that the beams were never on simultaneously ( the atoms experience a ...gases relies on (1) using a large-volume, magnetic trap to compress the atomic gas to a volume that can be captured by an optical trap

Testing Lorentz and C P T invariance with ultracold neutrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martín-Ruiz, A.; Escobar, C. A.

2018-05-01

In this paper we investigate, within the standard model extension framework, the influence of Lorentz- and C P T -violating terms on gravitational quantum states of ultracold neutrons. Using a semiclassical wave packet, we derive the effective nonrelativistic Hamiltonian which describes the neutrons vertical motion by averaging the contributions from the perpendicular coordinates to the free falling axis. We compute the physical implications of the Lorentz- and C P T -violating terms on the spectra. The comparison of our results with those obtained in the GRANIT experiment leads to an upper bound for the symmetries-violation cμν n coefficients. We find that ultracold neutrons are sensitive to the ain and ein coefficients, which thus far are unbounded by experiments in the neutron sector. We propose two additional problems involving ultracold neutrons which could be relevant for improving our current bounds; namely, gravity-resonance spectroscopy and neutron whispering gallery wave.

Direct observation of ultrafast many-body electron dynamics in an ultracold Rydberg gas

PubMed Central

Takei, Nobuyuki; Sommer, Christian; Genes, Claudiu; Pupillo, Guido; Goto, Haruka; Koyasu, Kuniaki; Chiba, Hisashi; Weidemüller, Matthias; Ohmori, Kenji

2016-01-01

Many-body correlations govern a variety of important quantum phenomena such as the emergence of superconductivity and magnetism. Understanding quantum many-body systems is thus one of the central goals of modern sciences. Here we demonstrate an experimental approach towards this goal by utilizing an ultracold Rydberg gas generated with a broadband picosecond laser pulse. We follow the ultrafast evolution of its electronic coherence by time-domain Ramsey interferometry with attosecond precision. The observed electronic coherence shows an ultrafast oscillation with a period of 1 femtosecond, whose phase shift on the attosecond timescale is consistent with many-body correlations among Rydberg atoms beyond mean-field approximations. This coherent and ultrafast many-body dynamics is actively controlled by tuning the orbital size and population of the Rydberg state, as well as the mean atomic distance. Our approach will offer a versatile platform to observe and manipulate non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum many-body systems on the ultrafast timescale. PMID:27849054

Dipolar collisions of ultracold 23Na87Rb molecules.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Mingyang; Ye, Xin; He, Junyu; Quéméner, Goulven; González-Martínez, Maykel; Dulieu, Olivier; Wang, Dajun

2017-04-01

Although ultracold polar molecules have long been proposed as a primary candidate for investigating dipolar many body physics, many of their basic properties, like their collisions in external electric fields, are still largely unknown. In fact, despite the successful production of several new ultracold molecular species in the last two years, so far the only available dipolar collision data is still from JILA's fermionic 40K87Rb experiment in 2010. In this talk, we will describe our investigation on dipolar collisions of ultracold bosonic and chemically stable 23Na87Rb molecules which possess a large permanent electric dipole moment. With a moderate electric field, an effective dipole moment large enough to strongly couple higher partial waves into the collisions can be achieved. We will report the influence of this effect on the molecular collisions observed in our experiment. Our theoretical model for understanding these observations will also be presented. This work is supported by the Hong Kong RGC CUHK404712 and the ANR/RGC Joint Research Scheme ACUHK403/13.

Computational Modeling of Low-Density Ultracold Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witte, Craig

In this dissertation I describe a number of different computational investigations which I have undertaken during my time at Colorado State University. Perhaps the most significant of my accomplishments was the development of a general molecular dynamic model that simulates a wide variety of physical phenomena in ultracold plasmas (UCPs). This model formed the basis of most of the numerical investigations discussed in this thesis. The model utilized the massively parallel architecture of GPUs to achieve significant computing speed increases (up to 2 orders of magnitude) above traditional single core computing. This increased computing power allowed for each particle in an actual UCP experimental system to be explicitly modeled in simulations. By using this model, I was able to undertake a number of theoretical investigations into ultracold plasma systems. Chief among these was our lab's investigation of electron center-of-mass damping, in which the molecular dynamics model was an essential tool in interpreting the results of the experiment. Originally, it was assumed that this damping would solely be a function of electron-ion collisions. However, the model was able to identify an additional collisionless damping mechanism that was determined to be significant in the first iteration of our experiment. To mitigate this collisionless damping, the model was used to find a new parameter range where this mechanism was negligible. In this new parameter range, the model was an integral part in verifying the achievement of a record low measured UCP electron temperature of 1.57 +/- 0.28K and a record high electron strong coupling parameter, Gamma, of 0.35 +/-0.08$. Additionally, the model, along with experimental measurements, was used to verify the breakdown of the standard weak coupling approximation for Coulomb collisions. The general molecular dynamics model was also used in other contexts. These included the modeling of both the formation process of ultracold plasmas

Ultracold Molecules in Optical Lattices: Efficient Production and Application to Molecular Clocks

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-03

near the intercombination- line threshold were measured for a variety of states, and explained by considering nonadiabatic effects ( Coriolis coupling) in...Moszynski, T. Zelevinsky. Nonadiabatic Effects in Ultracold Molecules via Anomalous Linear and Quadratic Zeeman Shifts, Physical Review Letters, (12...M. McDonald, G. Reinaudi, W. Skomorowski, R. Moszynski, T. Zelevinsky. Measurement of Nonadiabatic Effects in Ultracold Molecules via Anomalous

Total cross sections for ultracold neutrons scattered from gases

DOE PAGES

Seestrom, Susan Joyce; Adamek, Evan R.; Barlow, Dave; ...

2017-01-30

Here, we have followed up on our previous measurements of upscattering of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) from a series of gases by making measurements of total cross sections on the following gases hydrogen, ethane, methane, isobutene, n-butane, ethylene, water vapor, propane, neopentane, isopropyl alcohol, and 3He. The values of these cross sections are important for estimating the loss rate of trapped neutrons due to residual gas and are relevant to neutron lifetime measurements using UCNs. The effects of the UCN velocity and path-length distributions were accounted for in the analysis using a Monte Carlo transport code. Results are compared to ourmore » previous measurements and with the known absorption cross section for 3He scaled to our UCN energy. We find that the total cross sections for the hydrocarbon gases are reasonably described by a function linear in the number of hydrogen atoms in the molecule.« less

Hybrid Systems: Cold Atoms Coupled to Micro Mechanical Oscillators =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montoya Monge, Cris A.

Micro mechanical oscillators can serve as probes in precision measurements, as transducers to mediate photon-phonon interactions, and when functionalized with magnetic material, as tools to manipulate spins in quantum systems. This dissertation includes two projects where the interactions between cold atoms and mechanical oscillators are studied. In one of the experiments, we have manipulated the Zeeman state of magnetically trapped Rubidium atoms with a magnetic micro cantilever. The results show a spatially localized effect produced by the cantilever that agrees with Landau-Zener theory. In the future, such a scalable system with highly localized interactions and the potential for single-spin sensitivity could be useful for applications in quantum information science or quantum simulation. In a second experiment, work is in progress to couple a sample of optically trapped Rubidium atoms to a levitated nanosphere via an optical lattice. This coupling enables the cooling of the center-of-mass motion of the nanosphere by laser cooling the atoms. In this system, the atoms are trapped in the optical lattice while the sphere is levitated in a separate vacuum chamber by a single-beam optical tweezer. Theoretical analysis of such a system has determined that cooling the center-of-mass motion of the sphere to its quantum ground state is possible, even when starting at room temperature, due to the excellent environmental decoupling achievable in this setup. Nanospheres cooled to the quantum regime can provide new tests of quantum behavior at mesoscopic scales and have novel applications in precision sensing.

Quantum delayed-choice experiment with a single neutral atom.

PubMed

Li, Gang; Zhang, Pengfei; Zhang, Tiancai

2017-10-01

We present a proposal to implement a quantum delayed-choice (QDC) experiment with a single neutral atom, such as a rubidium or cesium atom. In our proposal, a Ramsey interferometer is adopted to observe the wave-like or particle-like behaviors of a single atom depending on the existence or absence of the second π/2-rotation. A quantum-controlled π/2-rotation on target atom is realized through a Rydberg-Rydberg interaction by another ancilla atom. It shows that a heavy neutral atom can also have a morphing behavior between the particle and the wave. The realization of the QDC experiment with such heavy neutral atoms not only is significant to understand the Bohr's complementarity principle in matter-wave and matter-particle domains but also has great potential on the quantum information process with neutral atoms.

Process for separation of zirconium-88, rubidium-83 and yttrium-88

DOEpatents

Heaton, Richard C.; Jamriska, Sr., David J.; Taylor, Wayne A.

1994-01-01

A process for selective separation of strontium-82 and strontium-85 from proton irradiated molybdenum targets is provided and includes dissolving the molybdenum target in a hydrogen peroxide solution to form a first ion-containing solution, passing the first ion-containing solution through a first cationic resin whereby ions selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, niobium, technetium, selenium, vanadium, arsenic, germanium, zirconium and rubidium remain in the first ion-containing solution while ions selected from the group consisting of rubidium, zinc, beryllium, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, strontium, yttrium and zirconium are selectively adsorbed by the first resin, contacting the first resin with an acid solution capable of stripping adsorbed ions from the first cationic exchange resin whereby the adsorbed ions are removed from the first resin to form a second ion-containing solution, evaporating the second ion-containing solution for time sufficient to remove substantially all of the acid and water from the second ion-containing solution whereby a residue remains, dissolving the residue from the evaporated second-ion containing solution in a dilute acid to form a third ion-containing solution, said third ion-containing solution having an acid molarity adapted to permit said ions to be adsorbed by a cationic exchange resin, passing the third ion-containing solution through a second cationic resin whereby the ions are adsorbed by the second resin, contacting the second resin with a dilute sulfuric acid solution whereby the adsorbed ions selected from the group consisting of rubidium, zinc, beryllium, cobalt, iron, manganese, chromium, and zirconium are selectively removed from the second resin, and contacting the second resin with a dilute acid solution whereby the adsorbed strontium ions are selectively removed. Zirconium, rubidium, and yttrium radioisotopes can also be recovered with additional steps.

Recent progress on the cold atoms clocks at BNM-LPTF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abgrall, M.; Lemonde, P.; Bize, S.; Sortais, Y.; Zhang, S.; Santarelli, G.; Laurent, P.; Clairon, A.; Salomon, C.

We present recent results on microwave frequency standards using cold atoms. Two cesium fountains have been built and exhibit a frequency accuracy of 1×10-15. Though quite different in their design, both fountains are found to give the same frequency within the error bars of the measurements. One of the fountains is transportable. It was moved to Germany and used as a reference for a phase coherent measurement of the 1S-2S transition of hydrogen with a 2×10-14 accuracy. When using a cryogenic sapphire oscillator as an interrogation oscillator, the frequency stability reaches the fundamental limit set by the quantum projection noise. A short term stability of 4×10-14 τ-1/2 has been obtained. One limitation to the performances of cesium fountains is the frequency shift due to collisions between cold atoms. We show that with rubidium atoms, this effect can be decreased by two orders of magnitude. This feature should allow to vastly improve both the stability and accuracy of microwave fountains. Finally by tracking the frequency between rubidium and cesium fountains, we test the stability of the fine structure constant α with a few 10-15 resolution. We also present the status of the ACES space project.

Quasi-One-Dimensional Ultracold Fermi Gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Revelle, Melissa C.

Ultracold atoms have become an essential tool in studying condensed matter phenomena. The advantage of atomic physics experiments is that they provide an easily tunable system. This experiment uses the lowest two ground state hyperfine levels of fermionic lithium. Having two different states creates a pseudo-spin- 1/2 system and allows us to emulate electronic systems, such as superconductors and crystal lattices. In our experiment, we can control the ratio between these two states resulting in either a spin-balanced or a spin-imbalanced gas. Imposing an imbalance is analogous to applying a magnetic field to a superconductor which causes the electrons in the material to align to the field (thus breaking the electron pairs which cause superconductivity). This motivates us to understand the phases created when a spin-imbalance is created and the effect of changing the atomic interactions. In a 3D system, we find where superfluidity is suppressed throughout the BEC to BCS crossover. Using phase separation as a guide, we probe the dimensional crossover between 1D and 3D. The phase separation in 1D is inverted from that in 3D, which provides a unique characteristic to distinguish between the dimensions. By varying the tunneling between tubes and the atomic interactions in a 2D optical lattice, we control whether the system is 1D, 3D, or in between. Using the properties of a 3D gas as a guide, we directly observe when the gas has crossed over from being dominated by 1D-like behavior to 3D. In this way, we have found a universal value for the dimensional crossover. The 1D-3D crossover paves the way to search for the exotic FFLO (Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov) superconductor. While most superconductors do not coexist with magnetism, the FFLO phase requires large magnetic fields to support its pairing mechanism. Additionally, this phase is more likely to be found in lower dimensional systems. However, at low dimensions, the effect of temperature fluctuations on the phase

Prospects for atomic frequency standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Audoin, C.

1984-01-01

The potentialities of different atomic frequency standards which are not yet into field operation, for most of them, but for which preliminary data, obtained in laboratory experiments, give confidence that they may improve greatly the present state of the art are described. The review will mainly cover the following devices: (1) cesium beam frequency standards with optical pumping and detection; (2) optically pumped rubidium cells; (3) magnesium beam; (4) cold hydrogen masers; and (5) traps with stored and cooled ions.

Theoretical study on the ultra-narrow bandwidth tunable atomic filter with electromagnetically induced transparency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yang; Li, Shu-qing; Feng, Zhong-ying; Liu, Xiao-fei; Gao, Jin-yue

2016-12-01

To obtain the weak signal light detection from the high background noise, we present a theoretical study on the ultra-narrow bandwidth tunable atomic filter with electromagnetically induced transparency. In a three-level Λ -type atomic system in the rubidium D1 line, the bandwidth of the EIT atomic filter is narrowed to ~6.5 \\text{MHz} . And the single peak transmission of the filter can be up to 86% . Moreover, the transmission wavelength can be tuned by changing the coupling light frequency. This theoretical scheme can also be applied to other alkali atomic systems.

Probing topology by “heating”: Quantized circular dichroism in ultracold atoms

PubMed Central

Tran, Duc Thanh; Dauphin, Alexandre; Grushin, Adolfo G.; Zoller, Peter; Goldman, Nathan

2017-01-01

We reveal an intriguing manifestation of topology, which appears in the depletion rate of topological states of matter in response to an external drive. This phenomenon is presented by analyzing the response of a generic two-dimensional (2D) Chern insulator subjected to a circular time-periodic perturbation. Because of the system’s chiral nature, the depletion rate is shown to depend on the orientation of the circular shake; taking the difference between the rates obtained from two opposite orientations of the drive, and integrating over a proper drive-frequency range, provides a direct measure of the topological Chern number (ν) of the populated band: This “differential integrated rate” is directly related to the strength of the driving field through the quantized coefficient η0 = ν/ℏ2, where h = 2π ℏ is Planck’s constant. Contrary to the integer quantum Hall effect, this quantized response is found to be nonlinear with respect to the strength of the driving field, and it explicitly involves interband transitions. We investigate the possibility of probing this phenomenon in ultracold gases and highlight the crucial role played by edge states in this effect. We extend our results to 3D lattices, establishing a link between depletion rates and the nonlinear photogalvanic effect predicted for Weyl semimetals. The quantized circular dichroism revealed in this work designates depletion rate measurements as a universal probe for topological order in quantum matter. PMID:28835930

Ultra-cold molecules in an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wynar, Roahn Helden

2000-08-01

This thesis is about photoassociation of Bose-condensed 87Rb. Most importantly we report that state selected 87Rb2 molecules were created at rest in a condensate of 87Rb using two-photon photoassociation. Additionally, we have identified three weakly bound states of the 87Rb2 S+u3 , potential for the |1, -1> + |1, - 1> collisional channel. The binding energies of these states are 529.4 +/- .07, 636.0094 +/- .0012, and 24.24 +/- .01 MHz respectively. We have also carried out a detailed study of the density dependence of the shift and width of the two-photon lineshape. This shift and width is modeled using the theory of Bohn and Julienne [34] and in addition to the precise measurement of binding energy we also report the first measurement of an atom molecule scattering length, aam, which we conclude is -180 +/- 150 a0, and the inelastic collision rate, Kinel < 8 × 10-11 cm-3/s. Stimulated Raman free bound coupling in an atomic Bose- Einstein condensate may lead to the formation of a molecular condensate. In order to evaluate this possibility we present a many-body quantum mean field theory of a Bose-Einstein condensate that includes a density dependent coherent coupling between atoms and molecules. This theory yields two coupled equations, one for the evolution of atomic condensate amplitude and one for the evolution of molecular condensate amplitude. The nature of the atomic-molecular condensate evolution is shown to depend on six, model parameters including the coherent coupling, given by cn . The other five parameters can be interpreted as light-shifts and incoherent loss rates. We present a calculation intended to estimate the values of these six parameters for the 87Rb - 87Rb 2 system. Based on the results of this calculation we identify two locations in the 87Rb2 spectrum where coherent transfer of population from atomic condensate to molecular condensate is plausible. Finally, we examine the credibility of the theoretical model used to

Importance of geometric phase effects in ultracold chemistry

DOE PAGES

Hazra, Jisha; Kendrick, Brian K.; Balakrishnan, Naduvalath

2015-08-28

Here, it is demonstrated that the inclusion of the geometric phase has an important effect on ultracold chemical reaction rates. The effect appears in rotationally and vibrationally resolved integral cross sections as well as cross sections summed over all product quantum states. The effect arises from interference between scattering amplitudes of two reaction pathways: a direct path and a looping path that encircle the conical intersection between the two lowest adiabatic electronic potential energy surfaces. It is magnified when the two scattering amplitudes have comparable magnitude and they scatter into the same angular region which occurs in the isotropic scatteringmore » characteristic of the ultracold regime (s-wave scattering). Results are presented for the O + OH → H + O 2 reaction for total angular momentum quantum number J = 0–5. Large geometric phase effects occur for collision energies below 0.1 K, but the effect vanishes at higher energies when contributions from different partial waves are included. It is also qualitatively demonstrated that the geometric phase effect can be modulated by applying an external electric field allowing the possibility of quantum control of chemical reactions in the ultracold regime. In this case, the geometric phase plays the role of a “quantum switch” which can turn the reaction “on” or “off”.« less

Two-Photon Absorption Spectroscopy of Rubidium with a Dual-Comb Tequnique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nishiyama, Akiko; Yoshida, Satoru; Hariki, Takuya; Nakajima, Yoshiaki; Minoshima, Kaoru

2017-06-01

Dual-comb spectroscopies have great potential for high-resolution molecular and atomic spectroscopies, thanks to the broadband comb spectrum consisting of dense narrow modes. In this study, we apply the dual-comb system to Doppler-free two-photon absorption spectroscopy. The outputs of two frequency combs excite several two-photon transitions of rubidium, and we obtained broadband Doppler-free spectra from dual-comb fluorescence signals. The fluorescence detection scheme circumvents the sensitivity limit which is effectively determined by the dynamic range of photodetectors in absorption-based dual-comb spectroscopies. Our system realized high-sensitive, Doppler-free high-resolution and broadband atomic spectroscopy. A part of observed spectra of 5S_{1/2} - 5D_{5/2} transition is shown in the figure. The hyperfine structures of the F" = 1 - F' = 3,2,1 transitions are fully-resolved and the spectral widths are approximately 5 MHz. The absolute frequency axis is precisely calibrated from comb mode frequencies which were stabilized to a GPS-disciplined clock. This work was supported by JST through the ERATO MINOSHIMA Intelligent Optical Synthesizer Project and Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows (16J02345). A. Nishiyama, S. Yoshida, Y. Nakajima, H. Sasada, K. Nakagawa, A. Onae, K. and Minoshima, Opt. Express 24, 25894 (2016). A. Hipke, S. A. Meek, T. Ideguchi, T.W. Hänsch, and N. Picqué, Phys. Rev. A 90, 011805(R) (2014).

Sympathetic cooling of nanospheres with cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montoya, Cris; Witherspoon, Apryl; Ranjit, Gambhir; Casey, Kirsten; Kitching, John; Geraci, Andrew

2016-05-01

Ground state cooling of mesoscopic mechanical structures could enable new hybrid quantum systems where mechanical oscillators act as transducers. Such systems could provide coupling between photons, spins and charges via phonons. It has recently been shown theoretically that optically trapped dielectric nanospheres could reach the ground state via sympathetic cooling with trapped cold atoms. This technique can be beneficial in cases where cryogenic operation of the oscillator is not practical. We describe experimental advances towards coupling an optically levitated dielectric nanosphere to a gas of cold Rubidium atoms. The sphere and the cold atoms are in separate vacuum chambers and are coupled using a one-dimensional optical lattice. This work is partially supported by NSF, Grant Nos. PHY-1205994,PHY-1506431.

Polarization effects in the interaction between multi-level atoms and two optical fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colín-Rodríguez, R.; Flores-Mijangos, J.; Hernández-Gómez, S.; Jáuregui, R.; López-Hernández, O.; Mojica-Casique, C.; Ponciano-Ojeda, F.; Ramírez-Martínez, F.; Sahagún, D.; Volke-Sepúlveda, K.; Jiménez-Mier, J.

2015-06-01

Polarized velocity selective spectra for rubidium atoms in a room temperature cell are presented. The experiments were performed in the lambda configuration (D2 manifold) and in the 5s\\to 5{{p}3/2}\\to 5{{d}j} ladder configuration. For the lambda configuration the effect of the probe beam intensity in the absorption and polarization spectra are compared with results of a rate equation approximation. Good overall agreement between experiment and theory is found. The results indicate different saturation rates for each of the atomic transitions. Distinctive polarization signals with hyperfine-resolved components are found for the ladder 5{{d}3/2} and 5{{d}5/2} upper states. Fluorescence detection of the 420 nm that results from the second step in the cascade decay 5{{d}j}\\to 6{{p}{{j\\prime }}}\\to 5s was used in the ladder experiments. This fluorescence was also used for the detection of the 5{{p}3/2}\\to 6{{p}3/2} electric dipole forbidden transition in atomic rubidium that occurs at 911 nm. The 6{{p}3/2} hyperfine structure was resolved in this continuous wave, non-dipole excitation.

Atom loss resonances in a Bose-Einstein condensate.

PubMed

Langmack, Christian; Smith, D Hudson; Braaten, Eric

2013-07-12

Atom loss resonances in ultracold trapped atoms have been observed at scattering lengths near atom-dimer resonances, at which Efimov trimers cross the atom-dimer threshold, and near two-dimer resonances, at which universal tetramers cross the dimer-dimer threshold. We propose a new mechanism for these loss resonances in a Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms. As the scattering length is ramped to the large final value at which the atom loss rate is measured, the time-dependent scattering length generates a small condensate of shallow dimers coherently from the atom condensate. The coexisting atom and dimer condensates can be described by a low-energy effective field theory with universal coefficients that are determined by matching exact results from few-body physics. The classical field equations for the atom and dimer condensates predict narrow enhancements in the atom loss rate near atom-dimer resonances and near two-dimer resonances due to inelastic dimer collisions.

Manufacturing a thin wire electrostatic trap for ultracold polar molecules.

PubMed

Kleinert, J; Haimberger, C; Zabawa, P J; Bigelow, N P

2007-11-01

We present a detailed description on how to build a thin wire electrostatic trap (TWIST) for ultracold polar molecules. It is the first design of an electrostatic trap that can be superimposed directly onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). We can thus continuously produce ultracold polar molecules via photoassociation from a two species MOT and instantaneously trap them in the TWIST without the need for complex transfer schemes. Despite the spatial overlap of the TWIST and the MOT, the two traps can be operated and optimized completely independently due to the complementary nature of the utilized trapping mechanisms.

3D-printed components for quantum devices.

PubMed

Saint, R; Evans, W; Zhou, Y; Barrett, T; Fromhold, T M; Saleh, E; Maskery, I; Tuck, C; Wildman, R; Oručević, F; Krüger, P

2018-05-30

Recent advances in the preparation, control and measurement of atomic gases have led to new insights into the quantum world and unprecedented metrological sensitivities, e.g. in measuring gravitational forces and magnetic fields. The full potential of applying such capabilities to areas as diverse as biomedical imaging, non-invasive underground mapping, and GPS-free navigation can only be realised with the scalable production of efficient, robust and portable devices. We introduce additive manufacturing as a production technique of quantum device components with unrivalled design freedom and rapid prototyping. This provides a step change in efficiency, compactness and facilitates systems integration. As a demonstrator we present an ultrahigh vacuum compatible ultracold atom source dissipating less than ten milliwatts of electrical power during field generation to produce large samples of cold rubidium gases. This disruptive technology opens the door to drastically improved integrated structures, which will further reduce size and assembly complexity in scalable series manufacture of bespoke portable quantum devices.

X-ray spectrographic determination of cesium and rubidium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Axelrod, J.M.; Adler, I.

1957-01-01

An x-ray spectrographic method for the determination of rubidium and cesium was developed, using the internal-standard method and a four-channel flat-crystal spectrograph. The sensitivity is within 0.1% for cesia and 0.02% for rubidia; the precision is within 10% of the amount present. Results agree well with those obtained by flame photometry and by radio-activation.

Stochastic and equilibrium pictures of the ultracold Fano-Feshbach-resonance molecular conversion rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamakoshi, Tomotake; Watanabe, Shinichi; Zhang, Chen; Greene, Chris H.

2013-05-01

The ultracold molecular conversion rate occurring in an adiabatic ramp through a Fano-Feshbach resonance is studied and compared in two statistical models. One model, the so-called stochastic phase-space sampling (SPSS) [Hodby , Phys. Rev. Lett.PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.94.120402 94, 120402 (2005)] evaluates the overlap of two atomic distributions in phase space by sampling atomic pairs according to a phase-space criterion. The other model, the chemical equilibrium theory (ChET) [Watabe and Nikuni, Phys. Rev. APLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.77.013616 77, 013616 (2008)] considers atomic and molecular distributions in the limit of the chemical and thermal equilibrium. The present study applies SPSS and ChET to a prototypical system of K+K→ K2 in all the symmetry combinations, namely Fermi-Fermi, Bose-Bose, and Bose-Fermi cases. To examine implications of the phase-space criterion for SPSS, the behavior of molecular conversion is analyzed using four distinct geometrical constraints. Our comparison of the results of SPSS with those of ChET shows that while they appear similar in most situations, the two models give rise to rather dissimilar behaviors when the presence of a Bose-Einstein condensate strongly affects the molecule formation.

A minimalistic and optimized conveyor belt for neutral atoms.

PubMed

Roy, Ritayan; Condylis, Paul C; Prakash, Vindhiya; Sahagun, Daniel; Hessmo, Björn

2017-10-20

Here we report of a design and the performance of an optimized micro-fabricated conveyor belt for precise and adiabatic transportation of cold atoms. A theoretical model is presented to determine optimal currents in conductors used for the transportation. We experimentally demonstrate a fast adiabatic transportation of Rubidium ( 87 Rb) cold atoms with minimal loss and heating with as few as three conveyor belt conductors. This novel design of a multilayered conveyor belt structure is fabricated in aluminium nitride (AlN) because of its outstanding thermal and electrical properties. This demonstration would pave a way for a compact and portable quantum device required for quantum information processing and sensors, where precise positioning of cold atoms is desirable.

Trapping of ultracold polar molecules with a thin-wire electrostatic trap.

PubMed

Kleinert, J; Haimberger, C; Zabawa, P J; Bigelow, N P

2007-10-05

We describe the realization of a dc electric-field trap for ultracold polar molecules, the thin-wire electrostatic trap (TWIST). The thin wires that form the electrodes of the TWIST allow us to superimpose the trap onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). In our experiment, ultracold polar NaCs molecules in their electronic ground state are created in the MOT via photoassociation, achieving a continuous accumulation in the TWIST of molecules in low-field seeking states. Initial measurements show that the TWIST trap lifetime is limited only by the background pressure in the chamber.

Determination of the axial-vector weak coupling constant with ultracold neutrons.

PubMed

Liu, J; Mendenhall, M P; Holley, A T; Back, H O; Bowles, T J; Broussard, L J; Carr, R; Clayton, S; Currie, S; Filippone, B W; García, A; Geltenbort, P; Hickerson, K P; Hoagland, J; Hogan, G E; Hona, B; Ito, T M; Liu, C-Y; Makela, M; Mammei, R R; Martin, J W; Melconian, D; Morris, C L; Pattie, R W; Pérez Galván, A; Pitt, M L; Plaster, B; Ramsey, J C; Rios, R; Russell, R; Saunders, A; Seestrom, S J; Sondheim, W E; Tatar, E; Vogelaar, R B; VornDick, B; Wrede, C; Yan, H; Young, A R

2010-10-29

A precise measurement of the neutron decay β asymmetry A₀ has been carried out using polarized ultracold neutrons from the pulsed spallation ultracold neutron source at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. Combining data obtained in 2008 and 2009, we report A₀ = -0.119 66±0.000 89{-0.001 40}{+0.001 23}, from which we determine the ratio of the axial-vector to vector weak coupling of the nucleon g{A}/g{V}=-1.275 90{-0.004 45}{+0.004 09}.

High-resolution internal state control of ultracold 23Na87Rb molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Mingyang; Ye, Xin; He, Junyu; Quéméner, Goulven; Wang, Dajun

2018-02-01

We report the full internal state control of ultracold 23Na87Rb molecules, including vibrational, rotational, and hyperfine degrees of freedom. Starting from a sample of weakly bound Feshbach molecules, we realize the creation of molecules in single hyperfine levels of both the rovibrational ground and excited states with a high-efficiency and high-resolution stimulated Raman adiabatic passage. This capability brings broad possibilities for investigating ultracold polar molecules with different chemical reactivities and interactions with a single molecular species. Moreover, starting from the rovibrational and hyperfine ground state, we achieve rotational and hyperfine control with one- and two-photon microwave spectroscopy to reach levels not accessible by the stimulated Raman transfer. The combination of these two techniques results in complete control over the internal state of ultracold polar molecules, which paves the way to study state-dependent molecular collisions and state-controlled chemical reactions.

Ultracold Neutron Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Jeffery

2016-09-01

The free neutron is an excellent laboratory for searches for physics beyond the standard model. Ultracold neutrons (UCN) are free neutrons that can be confined to material, magnetic, and gravitational traps. UCN are compelling for experiments requiring long observation times, high polarization, or low energies. The challenge of experiments has been to create enough UCN to reach the statistical precision required. Production techniques involving neutron interactions with condensed matter systems have resulted in some successes, and new UCN sources are being pursued worldwide to exploit higher UCN densities offered by these techniques. I will review the physics of how the UCN sources work, along with the present status of the world's efforts. research supported by NSERC, CFI, and CRC.

Spatial EPR entanglement in atomic vapor quantum memory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parniak, Michal; Dabrowski, Michal; Wasilewski, Wojciech

Spatially-structured quantum states of light are staring to play a key role in modern quantum science with the rapid development of single-photon sensitive cameras. In particular, spatial degree of freedom holds a promise to enhance continous-variable quantum memories. Here we present the first demonstration of spatial entanglement between an atomic spin-wave and a photon measured with an I-sCMOS camera. The system is realized in a warm atomic vapor quantum memory based on rubidium atoms immersed in inert buffer gas. In the experiment we create and characterize a 12-dimensional entangled state exhibiting quantum correlations between a photon and an atomic ensemble in position and momentum bases. This state allows us to demonstrate the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox in its original version, with an unprecedented delay time of 6 μs between generation of entanglement and detection of the atomic state.

Geometric phase effects in ultracold chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazra, Jisha; Naduvalath, Balakrishnan; Kendrick, Brian K.

2016-05-01

In molecules, the geometric phase, also known as Berry's phase, originates from the adiabatic transport of the electronic wavefunction when the nuclei follow a closed path encircling a conical intersection between two electronic potential energy surfaces. It is demonstrated that the inclusion of the geometric phase has an important effect on ultracold chemical reaction rates. The effect appears in rotationally and vibrationally resolved integral cross sections as well as cross sections summed over all product quantum states. It arises from interference between scattering amplitudes of two reaction pathways: a direct path and a looping path that encircle the conical intersection between the two lowest adiabatic electronic potential energy surfaces. Illustrative results are presented for the O+ OH --> H+ O2 reaction and for hydrogen exchange in H+ H2 and D+HD reactions. It is also qualitatively demonstrated that the geometric phase effect can be modulated by applying an external electric field allowing the possibility of quantum control of chemical reactions in the ultracold regime. This work was supported in part by NSF Grant PHY-1505557 (N.B.) and ARO MURI Grant No. W911NF-12-1-0476 (N.B.).

Nicholas Metropolis Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Work in Computational Physics: Quantum many-body physics of ultracold molecules in optical lattices: models and simulation methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wall, Michael

2014-03-01

Experimental progress in generating and manipulating synthetic quantum systems, such as ultracold atoms and molecules in optical lattices, has revolutionized our understanding of quantum many-body phenomena and posed new challenges for modern numerical techniques. Ultracold molecules, in particular, feature long-range dipole-dipole interactions and a complex and selectively accessible internal structure of rotational and hyperfine states, leading to many-body models with long range interactions and many internal degrees of freedom. Additionally, the many-body physics of ultracold molecules is often probed far from equilibrium, and so algorithms which simulate quantum many-body dynamics are essential. Numerical methods which are to have significant impact in the design and understanding of such synthetic quantum materials must be able to adapt to a variety of different interactions, physical degrees of freedom, and out-of-equilibrium dynamical protocols. Matrix product state (MPS)-based methods, such as the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG), have become the de facto standard for strongly interacting low-dimensional systems. Moreover, the flexibility of MPS-based methods makes them ideally suited both to generic, open source implementation as well as to studies of the quantum many-body dynamics of ultracold molecules. After introducing MPSs and variational algorithms using MPSs generally, I will discuss my own research using MPSs for many-body dynamics of long-range interacting systems. In addition, I will describe two open source implementations of MPS-based algorithms in which I was involved, as well as educational materials designed to help undergraduates and graduates perform research in computational quantum many-body physics using a variety of numerical methods including exact diagonalization and static and dynamic variational MPS methods. Finally, I will mention present research on ultracold molecules in optical lattices, such as the exploration of

Dynamic of cold-atom tips in anharmonic potentials

PubMed Central

Menold, Tobias; Federsel, Peter; Rogulj, Carola; Hölscher, Hendrik; Fortágh, József

2016-01-01

Background: Understanding the dynamics of ultracold quantum gases in an anharmonic potential is essential for applications in the new field of cold-atom scanning probe microscopy. Therein, cold atomic ensembles are used as sensitive probe tips to investigate nanostructured surfaces and surface-near potentials, which typically cause anharmonic tip motion. Results: Besides a theoretical description of this anharmonic tip motion, we introduce a novel method for detecting the cold-atom tip dynamics in situ and real time. In agreement with theory, the first measurements show that particle interactions and anharmonic motion have a significant impact on the tip dynamics. Conclusion: Our findings will be crucial for the realization of high-sensitivity force spectroscopy with cold-atom tips and could possibly allow for the development of advanced spectroscopic techniques such as Q-control. PMID:28144505

Research of fundamental interactions with use of ultracold neutrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serebrov, A. P.

2017-01-01

Use of ultracold neutrons (UCN) gives unique opportunities of a research of fundamental interactions in physics of elementary particles. Search of the electric dipole moment of a neutron (EDM) aims to test models of CP violation. Precise measurement of neutron lifetime is extremely important for cosmology and astrophysics. Considerable progress in these questions can be reached due to supersource of ultracold neutrons on the basis of superfluid helium which is under construction now in PNPI NRC KI. This source will allow us to increase density of ultracold neutrons approximately by 100 times in respect to the best UCN source at high flux reactor of Institute Laue-Langevin (Grenoble, France). Now the project and basic elements of the source are prepared, full-scale model of the source is tested, the scientific program is developed. Increase in accuracy of neutron EDM measurements by order of magnitude, down to level 10-27 -10-28 e cm is planned. It is highly important for physics of elementary particles. Accuracy of measurement of neutron lifetime can be increased by order of magnitude also. At last, at achievement of UCN density ˜ 103 - 104 cm-3, the experiment search for a neutron-antineutron oscillations using UCN will be possible. The present status of the project and its scientific program will be discussed.

Extreme Adiabatic Expansion in Micro-gravity: Modeling for the Cold Atomic Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sackett, C. A.; Lam, T. C.; Stickney, J. C.; Burke, J. H.

2017-12-01

The upcoming Cold Atom Laboratory mission for the International Space Station will allow the investigation of ultracold gases in a microgravity environment. Cold atomic samples will be produced using evaporative cooling in a magnetic chip trap. We investigate here the possibility to release atoms from the trap via adiabatic expansion. We discuss both general considerations and a detailed model of the planned apparatus. We find that it should be possible to reduce the mean trap confinement frequency to about 0.2 Hz, which will correspond to a three-dimensional sample temperature of about 150 pK and a mean atom velocity of 0.1 mm/s.

Extreme Adiabatic Expansion in Micro-gravity: Modeling for the Cold Atomic Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sackett, C. A.; Lam, T. C.; Stickney, J. C.; Burke, J. H.

2018-05-01

The upcoming Cold Atom Laboratory mission for the International Space Station will allow the investigation of ultracold gases in a microgravity environment. Cold atomic samples will be produced using evaporative cooling in a magnetic chip trap. We investigate here the possibility to release atoms from the trap via adiabatic expansion. We discuss both general considerations and a detailed model of the planned apparatus. We find that it should be possible to reduce the mean trap confinement frequency to about 0.2 Hz, which will correspond to a three-dimensional sample temperature of about 150 pK and a mean atom velocity of 0.1 mm/s.

Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer inside an optical fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Mingjie; Leong, Wuiseng; Chen, Zilong; Lan, Shau-Yu

2017-04-01

Precision measurement with light-pulse grating atom interferometry in free space have been used in the study of fundamental physics and applications in inertial sensing. Recent development of photonic band-gap fibers allows light for traveling in hollow region while preserving its fundamental Gaussian mode. The fibers could provide a very promising platform to transfer cold atoms. Optically guided matter waves inside a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber can mitigate diffraction limit problem and has the potential to bring research in the field of atomic sensing and precision measurement to the next level of compactness and accuracy. Here, we will show our experimental progress towards an atom interferometer in optical fibers. We designed an atom trapping scheme inside a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber to create an optical guided matter waves system, and studied the coherence properties of Rubidium atoms in this optical guided system. We also demonstrate a Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer in the optical waveguide. This interferometer is promising for precision measurements and designs of mobile atomic sensors.

Magnetic-field-mediated coupling and control in hybrid atomic-nanomechanical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tretiakov, A.; LeBlanc, L. J.

2016-10-01

Magnetically coupled hybrid quantum systems enable robust quantum state control through Landau-Zener transitions. Here, we show that an ultracold atomic sample magnetically coupled to a nanomechanical resonator can be used to cool the resonator's mechanical motion, to measure the mechanical temperature, and to enable entanglement of more than one of these mesoscopic objects. We calculate the expected coupling for both permanent-magnet and current-conducting nanostring resonators and describe how this hybridization is attainable using recently developed fabrication techniques, including SiN nanostrings and atom chips.

Joint CPT and N resonance in compact atomic time standards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crescimanno, Michael; Hohensee, Michael; Xiao, Yanhong; Phillips, David; Walsworth, Ron

2008-05-01

Currently development efforts towards small, low power atomic time standards use current-modulated VCSELs to generate phase-coherent optical sidebands that interrogate the hyperfine structure of alkali atoms such as rubidium. We describe and use a modified four-level quantum optics model to study the optimal operating regime of the joint CPT- and N-resonance clock. Resonant and non-resonant light shifts as well as modulation comb detuning effects play a key role in determining the optimal operating point of such clocks. We further show that our model is in good agreement with experimental tests performed using Rb-87 vapor cells.

Diffusion of Magnetized Binary Ionic Mixtures at Ultracold Plasma Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidal, Keith R.; Baalrud, Scott D.

2017-10-01

Ultracold plasma experiments offer an accessible means to test transport theories for strongly coupled systems. Application of an external magnetic field might further increase their utility by inhibiting heating mechanisms of ions and electrons and increasing the temperature at which strong coupling effects are observed. We present results focused on developing and validating a transport theory to describe binary ionic mixtures across a wide range of coupling and magnetization strengths relevant to ultracold plasma experiments. The transport theory is an extension of the Effective Potential Theory (EPT), which has been shown to accurately model correlation effects at these conditions, to include magnetization. We focus on diffusion as it can be measured in ultracold plasma experiments. Using EPT within the framework of the Chapman-Enskog expansion, the parallel and perpendicular self and interdiffusion coefficients for binary ionic mixtures with varying mass ratios are calculated and are compared to molecular dynamics simulations. The theory is found to accurately extend Braginskii-like transport to stronger coupling, but to break down when the magnetization strength becomes large enough that the typical gyroradius is smaller than the interaction scale length. This material is based upon work supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Award Number FA9550-16-1-0221.

LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS On control of kinematic parameters of ultracold neutrons in waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivlin, Lev A.

2010-10-01

The possibility of controlling the kinematic parameters of ultracold neutrons (UCNs) is analysed by the example of a waveguide transfer and transformation of 2D images in ultracold neutrons and by the example of an increase in the concentration and deceleration/acceleration of ultracold neutrons during their transport in the waveguide with a variable cross section. The critical parameters of the problem are estimated, which indicates both consistency of the proposed approach and the emerging experimental limitations.

Lamb-Dicke spectroscopy of atoms in a hollow-core photonic crystal fibre

PubMed Central

Okaba, Shoichi; Takano, Tetsushi; Benabid, Fetah; Bradley, Tom; Vincetti, Luca; Maizelis, Zakhar; Yampol'skii, Valery; Nori, Franco; Katori, Hidetoshi

2014-01-01

Unlike photons, which are conveniently handled by mirrors and optical fibres without loss of coherence, atoms lose their coherence via atom–atom and atom–wall interactions. This decoherence of atoms deteriorates the performance of atomic clocks and magnetometers, and also hinders their miniaturization. Here we report a novel platform for precision spectroscopy. Ultracold strontium atoms inside a kagome-lattice hollow-core photonic crystal fibre are transversely confined by an optical lattice to prevent atoms from interacting with the fibre wall. By confining at most one atom in each lattice site, to avoid atom–atom interactions and Doppler effect, a 7.8-kHz-wide spectrum is observed for the 1S0−3P1(m=0) transition. Atoms singly trapped in a magic lattice in hollow-core photonic crystal fibres improve the optical depth while preserving atomic coherence time. PMID:24934478

Rubidium-87 gas cell studies, phase 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanier, J.

1972-01-01

The construction of a quartz bulb-quartz cavity type rubidium maser is described, and the results obtained with two of these masers are presented. The tuning characteristics, medium term stability, and short term stability are reported. It is concluded that the stability of the masers in the short term region is superior to any of the oscillators presently existing. On this basis it is believed that future development of the masers to reduce their size and improve their medium term stability is well justified.

Scaling of an Optically Pumped Mid-Infrared Rubidium Laser

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-26

v AFIT-ENP-MS-15-M-104 Abstract An optically pumped mid-infrared rubidium (Rb) pulsed laser has been demonstrated in a heat pipe ... Heat Pipe Assembly ........................................................................................12 Figure 3.3. Rb Number Density vs. Heat ...the first experiments that used a heat pipe as the gain cell. This experiment would influence the work of Sharma (Sharma, 1981:210). 9 Krupke

Two-photon direct frequency comb spectroscopy of alkali atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palm, Christopher; Pradhananga, Trinity; Nguyen, Khoa; Montcrieffe, Caitlin; Kimball, Derek

2012-11-01

We have studied transition frequencies and excited state hyperfine structure in rubidium using 2-photon transitions excited directly with the frequency-doubled output of a erbium fiber optical frequency comb. The frequency comb output is directed in two counterpropagating directions through a vapor cell containing the rubidium vapor. A pair of optical filters is used to select teeth of the comb in order to identify the transition wavelengths. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) measures fluorescence from a decay channel wavelength selected with another optical filter. Using different combinations of filters enables a wide range of transitions to be investigated. By scanning the repetition rate, a Doppler-free spectrum can be obtained enabling kHz-resolution spectral measurements. An interesting dependence of the 2-photon spectrum on the energy of the intermediate state of the 2-photon transition is discussed. Our investigations are laying the groundwork for a long-term research program to use direct frequency comb spectroscopy to understand the complex spectra of rare-earth atoms.

Controlling interactions between highly magnetic atoms with Feshbach resonances.

PubMed

Kotochigova, Svetlana

2014-09-01

This paper reviews current experimental and theoretical progress in the study of dipolar quantum gases of ground and meta-stable atoms with a large magnetic moment. We emphasize the anisotropic nature of Feshbach resonances due to coupling to fast-rotating resonant molecular states in ultracold s-wave collisions between magnetic atoms in external magnetic fields. The dramatic differences in the distribution of resonances of magnetic (7)S3 chromium and magnetic lanthanide atoms with a submerged 4f shell and non-zero electron angular momentum is analyzed. We focus on dysprosium and erbium as important experimental advances have been recently made to cool and create quantum-degenerate gases for these atoms. Finally, we describe progress in locating resonances in collisions of meta-stable magnetic atoms in electronic P-states with ground-state atoms, where an interplay between collisional anisotropies and spin-orbit coupling exists.

A waveguide frequency converter connecting rubidium-based quantum memories to the telecom C-band.

PubMed

Albrecht, Boris; Farrera, Pau; Fernandez-Gonzalvo, Xavier; Cristiani, Matteo; de Riedmatten, Hugues

2014-02-27

Coherently converting the frequency and temporal waveform of single and entangled photons will be crucial to interconnect the various elements of future quantum information networks. Of particular importance is the quantum frequency conversion of photons emitted by material systems able to store quantum information, so-called quantum memories. There have been significant efforts to implement quantum frequency conversion using nonlinear crystals, with non-classical light from broadband photon-pair sources and solid-state emitters. However, solid state quantum frequency conversion has not yet been achieved with long-lived optical quantum memories. Here we demonstrate an ultra-low-noise solid state photonic quantum interface suitable for connecting quantum memories based on atomic ensembles to the telecommunication fibre network. The interface is based on an integrated-waveguide nonlinear device. We convert heralded single photons at 780 nm from a rubidium-based quantum memory to the telecommunication wavelength of 1,552 nm, showing significant non-classical correlations between the converted photon and the heralding signal.

Collisions of ultracold 23Na87Rb molecules with controlled chemical reactivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Xin; Guo, Mingyang; He, Junyu; Wang, Dajun; Quemener, Goulven; Gonzalez-Martinez, Maykel; Dulieu, Oliver

2017-04-01

The recent successful creation of several ultracold absolute ground-state polar molecules without chemical reaction channel has opened a new playground for investigating the so far poorly understood collisions between them. On one hand, these collisions are indispensable for the exploration of dipolar physics, on the other hand, they are direct manifestations of the brand-new field of ultracold chemistry. Here, we report on the study on molecular collisions with ultracold ground-state 23Na87Rb molecules prepared by transferring weakly bound Feshbach molecules with STIRAP. By tuning the Raman laser wavelength to control the internal states, samples with distinctly different chemical reactivity and inelastic channels can be prepared. Surprisingly, we found that the trap loss of the non-reactive case is nearly identical to that of the reactive case. We also developed a model based on the collision complex formation mechanism. The comparison between experiment and theory will also be presented. This work was supported by the French ANR/Hong Kong RGC COPOMOL project (Grant No. A-CUHK403/13), the RGC General Research Fund (Grant No. CUHK14301815).

Strong Photoassociation in Ultracold Fermions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jing, Li; Jamison, Alan; Rvachov, Timur; Ebadi, Sepher; Son, Hyungmok; Jiang, Yijun; Zwierlein, Martin; Ketterle, Wolfgang

2016-05-01

Despite many studies there are still open questions about strong photoassociation in ultracold gases. Photoassociation occurs only at short range and thus can be used as a tool to probe and control the two-body correlation function in an interacting many-body system and to engineer Hamiltonians using dissipation. We propose the possibility to slow down decoherence by photoassociation through the quantum Zeno effect. This can realized by shining strong photoassociation light on the superposition of the lowest two hyperfine states of Lithium 6. NSF, ARO-MURI, Samsung, NSERC.

Experimental realization of real-time feedback-control of single-atom arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hyosub; Lee, Woojun; Ahn, Jaewook

2016-05-01

Deterministic loading of neutral atoms on particular locations has remained a challenging problem. Here we show, in a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration, that such deterministic loading can be achieved by rearrangement of atoms. In the experiment, cold rubidium atom were trapped by optical tweezers, which are the hologram images made by a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (LC-SLM). After the initial occupancy was identified, the hologram was actively controlled to rearrange the captured atoms on to unfilled sites. For this, we developed a new flicker-free hologram algorithm that enables holographic atom translation. Our demonstration show that up to N=9 atoms were simultaneously moved in the 2D plane with the movable degrees of freedom of 2N=18 and the fidelity of 99% for single-atom 5- μm translation. It is hoped that our in situ atom rearrangement becomes useful in scaling quantum computers. Samsung Science and Technology Foundation [SSTF-BA1301-12].

Cold atoms in one-dimensional rings: a Luttinger liquid approach to precision measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ragole, Stephen; Taylor, Jacob

Recent experiments have realized ring shaped traps for ultracold atoms. We consider the one-dimensional limit of these ring systems with a moving weak barrier, such as a blue-detuned laser beam. In this limit, we employ Luttinger liquid theory and find an analogy with the superconducting charge qubit. In particular, we find that strongly-interacting atoms in such a system could be used for precision rotation sensing. We compare the performance of this new sensor to the state of the art non-interacting atom interferometry. Funding provided by the Physics Frontier Center at the JQI and by DARPA QUASAR.

A rubidium traced white-light etalon calibrator for MAROON-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stürmer, Julian; Seifahrt, Andreas; Schwab, Christian; Bean, Jacob L.

2016-07-01

We report on the construction and testing of a vacuum-gap Fabry-Perot etalon calibrator for high precision radial velocity spectrographs. The etalon is referenced against hyper fine transitions of rubidium to provide a precise wavelength calibrator for MAROON-X, a new fiber-fed, red-optical, high-precision radial-velocity spectrograph currently under construction for one of the twin 6.5m Magellan Telescopes in Chile. We demonstrate a turnkey system, ready to be installed at any current and next generation radial velocity spectrograph that requires calibration over a wide spectral band-pass. Uncertainties in the position of one etalon line are at the 10 cm s-1 level in individual measurements taken at 4 Hz. Our long-term stability is mainly limited by aging effects of the spacer material Zerodur, which imprints a 12 cm s-1 daily drift. However, as the etalon position is traced by the rubidium reference with a precision of <3 cm s-1 for integration times longer than 10s, we can fully account for this effect at the RV data reduction level.

Atom Interferometry with Ultracold Quantum Gases in a Microgravity Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Jason; D'Incao, Jose; Chiow, Sheng-Wey; Yu, Nan

2015-05-01

Precision atom interferometers (AI) in space promise exciting technical capabilities for fundamental physics research, with proposals including unprecedented tests of the weak equivalence principle, precision measurements of the fine structure and gravitational constants, and detection of gravity waves and dark energy. Consequently, multiple AI-based missions have been proposed to NASA, including a dual-atomic-species interferometer that is to be integrated into the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) onboard the International Space Station. In this talk, I will discuss our plans and preparation at JPL for the proposed flight experiments to use the CAL facility to study the leading-order systematics expected to corrupt future high-precision measurements of fundamental physics with AIs in microgravity. The project centers on the physics of pairwise interactions and molecular dynamics in these quantum systems as a means to overcome uncontrolled shifts associated with the gravity gradient and few-particle collisions. We will further utilize the CAL AI for proof-of-principle tests of systematic mitigation and phase-readout techniques for use in the next-generation of precision metrology experiments based on AIs in microgravity. This research was carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

In situ single-atom array synthesis using dynamic holographic optical tweezers

PubMed Central

Kim, Hyosub; Lee, Woojun; Lee, Han-gyeol; Jo, Hanlae; Song, Yunheung; Ahn, Jaewook

2016-01-01

Establishing a reliable method to form scalable neutral-atom platforms is an essential cornerstone for quantum computation, quantum simulation and quantum many-body physics. Here we demonstrate a real-time transport of single atoms using holographic microtraps controlled by a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. For this, an analytical design approach to flicker-free microtrap movement is devised and cold rubidium atoms are simultaneously rearranged with 2N motional degrees of freedom, representing unprecedented space controllability. We also accomplish an in situ feedback control for single-atom rearrangements with the high success rate of 99% for up to 10 μm translation. We hope this proof-of-principle demonstration of high-fidelity atom-array preparations will be useful for deterministic loading of N single atoms, especially on arbitrary lattice locations, and also for real-time qubit shuttling in high-dimensional quantum computing architectures. PMID:27796372

Building one molecule from a reservoir of two atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, L. R.; Hood, J. D.; Yu, Y.; Zhang, J. T.; Hutzler, N. R.; Rosenband, T.; Ni, K.-K.

2018-05-01

Chemical reactions typically proceed via stochastic encounters between reactants. Going beyond this paradigm, we combined exactly two atoms in a single, controlled reaction. The experimental apparatus traps two individual laser-cooled atoms [one sodium (Na) and one cesium (Cs)] in separate optical tweezers and then merges them into one optical dipole trap. Subsequently, photoassociation forms an excited-state NaCs molecule. The discovery of previously unseen resonances near the molecular dissociation threshold and measurement of collision rates are enabled by the tightly trapped ultracold sample of atoms. As laser-cooling and trapping capabilities are extended to more elements, the technique will enable the study of more diverse, and eventually more complex, molecules in an isolated environment, as well as synthesis of designer molecules for qubits.

Trapping hydrogen atoms from a neon-gas matrix: a theoretical simulation.

PubMed

Bovino, S; Zhang, P; Kharchenko, V; Dalgarno, A

2009-08-07

Hydrogen is of critical importance in atomic and molecular physics and the development of a simple and efficient technique for trapping cold and ultracold hydrogen atoms would be a significant advance. In this study we simulate a recently proposed trap-loading mechanism for trapping hydrogen atoms released from a neon matrix. Accurate ab initio quantum calculations are reported of the neon-hydrogen interaction potential and the energy- and angular-dependent elastic scattering cross sections that control the energy transfer of initially cold atoms are obtained. They are then used to construct the Boltzmann kinetic equation, describing the energy relaxation process. Numerical solutions of the Boltzmann equation predict the time evolution of the hydrogen energy distribution function. Based on the simulations we discuss the prospects of the technique.

Observation of topological states in an optical Raman lattice with ultracold fermions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Bo; He, Chengdong; Zhang, Long; Poon, Ting Fung Jeffrey; Hajiyev, Elnur; Ren, Zejian; Seo, Bojeong; Zhang, Shanchao; Liu, Xiong-Jun; Jo, Gyu-Boong

2017-04-01

The spin-orbit coupling with cold atoms, especially in optical lattices, provides a versatile platform to investigate the intriguing topological matters. In this talk, we will present the realization of one-dimensional spin-dependent lattice dressed by the periodic Raman field. Ultracold 173Yb fermions loaded into an optical Raman lattice reveal non-trivial spin textures due to the band topology, by which we measured topological invariants and determined a topological phase transition. In addition, we explored the non-equilibrium quench dynamics between the topological and the trivial states by suddenly changing the band topology of the optical Raman lattice. The optical Raman lattice demonstrated here opens a new avenue to study the spin-orbit coupling physics and furthermore to realize novel quantum matters such as symmetry-protected topological states. Funded by Croucher Foundation and Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong (Project ECS26300014, GRF16300215, GRF16311516, and Croucher Innovation Grants); MOST (Grant No. 2016YFA0301604) and NSFC (No. 11574008).

Carrier-Envelope Phase Effect on Atomic Excitation by Few-Cycle rf Pulses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li Hebin; Welch, George R.; Sautenkov, Vladimir A.

2010-03-12

We present an experimental and theoretical study of the carrier-envelope phase effects on population transfer between two bound atomic states interacting with intense ultrashort pulses. Radio frequency pulses are used to transfer population among the ground state hyperfine levels in rubidium atoms. These pulses are only a few cycles in duration and have Rabi frequencies of the order of the carrier frequency. The phase difference between the carrier and the envelope of the pulses has a significant effect on the excitation of atomic coherence and population transfer. We provide a theoretical description of this phenomenon using density matrix equations. Wemore » discuss the implications and possible applications of our results.« less

Nonlinear Sensing With Collective States of Ultracold Atoms in Optical Lattices

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-02

20) E. Tiesinga, “Particle-hole Pair Coherence in Mott insulator quench dynamics” at the June 2014, Division of atomic, molecular, and optical...Jian, Philip R. Johnson, Eite Tiesinga. Particle-Hole Pair Coherence in Mott Insulator Quench Dynamics, P H Y S I C A L R E V I EW L E T T E R S (01...lattices. We focused on techniques that make use of the coherent superposition states in atom number. These state are not unlike the photon number

Λ-enhanced grey molasses on the D2 transition of Rubidium-87 atoms.

PubMed

Rosi, Sara; Burchianti, Alessia; Conclave, Stefano; Naik, Devang S; Roati, Giacomo; Fort, Chiara; Minardi, Francesco

2018-01-22

Laser cooling based on dark states, i.e. states decoupled from light, has proven to be effective to increase the phase-space density of cold trapped atoms. Dark-states cooling requires open atomic transitions, in contrast to the ordinary laser cooling used for example in magneto-optical traps (MOTs), which operate on closed atomic transitions. For alkali atoms, dark-states cooling is therefore commonly operated on the D 1 transition nS 1/2  → nP 1/2 . We show that, for 87 Rb, thanks to the large hyperfine structure separations the use of this transition is not strictly necessary and that "quasi-dark state" cooling is efficient also on the D 2 line, 5S 1/2  → 5P 3/2 . We report temperatures as low as (4.0 ± 0.3) μK and an increase of almost an order of magnitude in the phase space density with respect to ordinary laser sub-Doppler cooling.

Ultrafast time scale X-rotation of cold atom storage qubit using Rubidium clock states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yunheung; Lee, Han-Gyeol; Kim, Hyosub; Jo, Hanlae; Ahn, Jaewook

2017-04-01

Ultrafast-time-scale optical interaction is a local operation on the electronic subspace of an atom, thus leaving its nuclear state intact. However, because atomic clock states are maximally entangled states of the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom, their entire Hilbert space should be accessible only with local operations and classical communications (LOCC). Therefore, it may be possible to achieve hyperfine qubit gates only with electronic transitions. Here we show an experimental implementation of ultrafast X-rotation of atomic hyperfine qubits, in which an optical Rabi oscillation induces a geometric phase between the constituent fine-structure states, thus bringing about the X-rotation between the two ground hyperfine levels. In experiments, cold atoms in a magneto-optical trap were controlled with a femtosecond laser pulse from a Ti:sapphire laser amplifier. Absorption imaging of the as-controlled atoms initially in the ground hyperfine state manifested polarization dependence, strongly agreeing with the theory. The result indicates that single laser pulse implementations of THz clock speed qubit controls are feasible for atomic storage qubits. Samsung Science and Technology Foundation [SSTF-BA1301-12].

An atomic beam source for fast loading of a magneto-optical trap under high vacuum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McDowall, Peter D.; Gruenzweig, Tzahi; Hilliard, Andrew

2012-05-15

We report on a directional atomic beam created using an alkali metal dispenser and a nozzle. By applying a high current (15 A) pulse to the dispenser at room temperature we can rapidly heat it to a temperature at which it starts dispensing, avoiding the need for preheating. The atomic beam produced is capable of loading 90% of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) in less than 7 s while maintaining a low vacuum pressure of <10{sup -11} Torr. The transverse velocity components of the atomic beam are measured to be within typical capture velocities of a rubidium MOT. Finally, we showmore » that the atomic beam can be turned off within 1.8 s.« less

Observing random walks of atoms in buffer gas through resonant light absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoki, Kenichiro; Mitsui, Takahisa

2016-07-01

Using resonant light absorption, random-walk motions of rubidium atoms in nitrogen buffer gas are observed directly. The transmitted light intensity through atomic vapor is measured, and its spectrum is obtained, down to orders of magnitude below the shot-noise level to detect fluctuations caused by atomic motions. To understand the measured spectra, the spectrum for atoms performing random walks in a Gaussian light beam is computed, and its analytical form is obtained. The spectrum has 1 /f2 (f is frequency) behavior at higher frequencies, crossing over to a different, but well-defined, behavior at lower frequencies. The properties of this theoretical spectrum agree excellently with the measured spectrum. This understanding also enables us to obtain the diffusion constant, the photon cross section of atoms in buffer gas, and the atomic number density from a single spectral measurement. We further discuss other possible applications of our experimental method and analysis.

Collisional Dynamics of the Rubidium 5(2)P Levels

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-08-01

prepare the rubidium sample. This work established the cross-section for He collisions and bounded the cross-sections for Ne and Ar. Krause (49...continued the work by improving the measurement of the cross-sections and by adding the cross-sections for Kr, Xe and Rb collision partners. Krause ...number density of ,-r 1010 per cm 3 . This is an order of magnitude lower than the concentration reported by Krause (49) to prevent self trapping

Rashba spin-orbit coupling for neutral atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Daniel; Juzeliūnas, Gediminas; Spielman, Ian

2011-05-01

We theoretically describe a new class of atom-laser coupling schemes which lead to effective spin-orbit coupled Hamiltonians for ultra-cold neutral atoms. By properly setting the optical phases, a pair of degenerate spin states emerge as the lowest energy states in the spectrum, and are thus immune to collisionally induced decay. These schemes use N cyclically coupled ground or metastable internal states but we will specialize to the four-level case for this talk. Time permitting, we will describe a possible implementation of this scheme for 87Rb that adds a controllable Dresselhaus component to the effective Hamiltonian in a natural way. NSF through PFC at JQI, ARO with funds from Atomtronics MURI and DARPA OLE, STREP NAMEQUAM.

Data on inelastic processes in low-energy potassium-hydrogen and rubidium-hydrogen collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakovleva, S. A.; Barklem, P. S.; Belyaev, A. K.

2018-01-01

Two sets of rate coefficients for low-energy inelastic potassium-hydrogen and rubidium-hydrogen collisions were computed for each collisional system based on two model electronic structure calculations, performed by the quantum asymptotic semi-empirical and the quantum asymptotic linear combinations of atomic orbitals (LCAO) approaches, followed by quantum multichannel calculations for the non-adiabatic nuclear dynamics. The rate coefficients for the charge transfer (mutual neutralization, ion-pair formation), excitation and de-excitation processes are calculated for all transitions between the five lowest lying covalent states and the ionic states for each collisional system for the temperature range 1000-10 000 K. The processes involving higher lying states have extremely low rate coefficients and, hence, are neglected. The two model calculations both single out the same partial processes as having large and moderate rate coefficients. The largest rate coefficients correspond to the mutual neutralization processes into the K(5s 2S) and Rb(4d 2D) final states and at temperature 6000 K have values exceeding 3 × 10-8 cm3 s-1 and 4 × 10-8 cm3 s-1, respectively. It is shown that both the semi-empirical and the LCAO approaches perform equally well on average and that both sets of atomic data have roughly the same accuracy. The processes with large and moderate rate coefficients are likely to be important for non-LTE modelling in atmospheres of F, G and K-stars, especially metal-poor stars.

Editorial: Focus on Atom Optics and its Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt-Kaler, F.; Pfau, T.; Schmelcher, P.; Schleich, W.

2010-06-01

Atom optics employs the modern techniques of quantum optics and laser cooling to enable applications which often outperform current standard technologies. Atomic matter wave interferometers allow for ultra-precise sensors; metrology and clocks are pushed to an extraordinary accuracy of 17 digits using single atoms. Miniaturization and integration are driven forward for both atomic clocks and atom optical circuits. With the miniaturization of information-storage and -processing devices, the scale of single atoms is approached in solid state devices, where the laws of quantum physics lead to novel, advantageous features and functionalities. An upcoming branch of atom optics is the control of single atoms, potentially allowing solid state devices to be built atom by atom; some of which would be applicable in future quantum information processing devices. Selective manipulation of individual atoms also enables trace analysis of extremely rare isotopes. Additionally, sources of neutral atoms with high brightness are being developed and, if combined with photo ionization, even novel focused ion beam sources are within reach. Ultracold chemistry is fertilized by atomic techniques, when reactions of chemical constituents are investigated between ions, atoms, molecules, trapped or aligned in designed fields and cooled to ultra-low temperatures such that the reaction kinetics can be studied in a completely state-resolved manner. Focus on Atom Optics and its Applications Contents Sensitive gravity-gradiometry with atom interferometry: progress towards an improved determination of the gravitational constant F Sorrentino, Y-H Lien, G Rosi, L Cacciapuoti, M Prevedelli and G M Tino A single-atom detector integrated on an atom chip: fabrication, characterization and application D Heine, W Rohringer, D Fischer, M Wilzbach, T Raub, S Loziczky, XiYuan Liu, S Groth, B Hessmo and J Schmiedmayer Interaction of a propagating guided matter wave with a localized potential G L Gattobigio, A

Hard Collisions in Rubidium using Sub-Doppler Spectroscopy

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

γdiff and the loss due to electronic collisions γdisch can be ignored in this work. The collisional rate γcoll can also be ignored because the quenching ...rate for ground state rubidium is very, very small. Another way to say it, it takes significant energy (very high temperatures) for 14 quenching of the...component fiso = relative natural abundance fF ′′ = statistical distribution of population among F” states = (2F ′′+1)e −E(F ′′) kBTP F”(2F ′′+1)e

Quantum measurement-induced dynamics of many-body ultracold bosonic and fermionic systems in optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzucchi, Gabriel; Kozlowski, Wojciech; Caballero-Benitez, Santiago F.; Elliott, Thomas J.; Mekhov, Igor B.

2016-02-01

Trapping ultracold atoms in optical lattices enabled numerous breakthroughs uniting several disciplines. Coupling these systems to quantized light leads to a plethora of new phenomena and has opened up a new field of study. Here we introduce an unusual additional source of competition in a many-body strongly correlated system: We prove that quantum backaction of global measurement is able to efficiently compete with intrinsic short-range dynamics of an atomic system. The competition becomes possible due to the ability to change the spatial profile of a global measurement at a microscopic scale comparable to the lattice period without the need of single site addressing. In coherence with a general physical concept, where new competitions typically lead to new phenomena, we demonstrate nontrivial dynamical effects such as large-scale multimode oscillations, long-range entanglement, and correlated tunneling, as well as selective suppression and enhancement of dynamical processes beyond the projective limit of the quantum Zeno effect. We demonstrate both the breakup and protection of strongly interacting fermion pairs by measurement. Such a quantum optical approach introduces into many-body physics novel processes, objects, and methods of quantum engineering, including the design of many-body entangled environments for open systems.

Studying topology and dynamical phase transitions with ultracold quantum gases in optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sengstock, Klaus

Topological properties lie at the heart of many fascinating phenomena in solid-state systems such as quantum Hall systems or Chern insulators. The topology of the bands can be captured by the distribution of Berry curvature, which describes the geometry of the eigenstates across the Brillouin zone. Using fermionic ultracold atoms in a hexagonal optical lattice, we engineered the Berry curvature of the Bloch bands using resonant driving and show a full momentum-resolved state tomography from which we obtain the Berry curvature and Chern number. Furthermore, we study the time-evolution of the many-body wavefunction after a sudden quench of the lattce parameters and observe the appearance, movement, and annihilation of vortices in reciprocal space. We identify their number as a dynamical topological order parameter, which suddenly changes its value at critical times. Our measurements constitute the first observation of a so called dynamical topological phase transition`, which we show to be a fruitful concept for the understanding of quantum dynamics far from equilibrium

Interaction quenched ultracold few-boson ensembles in periodically driven lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mistakidis, Simeon; Schmelcher, Peter; Theory Group of Fundamental Processes in Quantum Physics Team

2017-04-01

The out-of-equilibrium dynamics of interaction quenched finite ultracold bosonic ensembles in periodically driven one-dimensional optical lattices is investigated. It is shown that periodic driving enforces the bosons in the outer wells of the finite lattice to exhibit out-of-phase dipole-like modes, while in the central well the atomic cloud experiences a local breathing mode. The dynamical behavior is investigated with varying driving frequency, revealing a resonant-like behavior of the intra-well dynamics. An interaction quench in the periodically driven lattice gives rise to admixtures of different excitations in the outer wells, an enhanced breathing in the center and an amplification of the tunneling dynamics. We observe then multiple resonances between the inter- and intra-well dynamics at different quench amplitudes, with the position of the resonances being tunable via the driving frequency. Our results pave the way for future investigations on the use of combined driving protocols in order to excite different inter- and intra-well modes and to subsequently control them. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) in the framework of the SFB 925 ``Light induced dynamics and control of correlated quantum systems''.

Response Functions for the Two-Dimensional Ultracold Fermi Gas: Dynamical BCS Theory and Beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vitali, Ettore; Shi, Hao; Qin, Mingpu; Zhang, Shiwei

2017-12-01

Response functions are central objects in physics. They provide crucial information about the behavior of physical systems, and they can be directly compared with scattering experiments involving particles such as neutrons or photons. Calculations of such functions starting from the many-body Hamiltonian of a physical system are challenging and extremely valuable. In this paper, we focus on the two-dimensional (2D) ultracold Fermi atomic gas which has been realized experimentally. We present an application of the dynamical BCS theory to obtain response functions for different regimes of interaction strengths in the 2D gas with zero-range attractive interaction. We also discuss auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo (AFQMC) methods for the calculation of imaginary time correlations in these dilute Fermi gas systems. Illustrative results are given and comparisons are made between AFQMC and dynamical BCS theory results to assess the accuracy of the latter.

Quantum Gas Microscope for Fermionic Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okan, Melih; Cheuk, Lawrence; Nichols, Matthew; Lawrence, Katherine; Zhang, Hao; Zwierlein, Martin

2016-05-01

Strongly interacting fermions define the properties of complex matter throughout nature, from atomic nuclei and modern solid state materials to neutron stars. Ultracold atomic Fermi gases have emerged as a pristine platform for the study of many-fermion systems. In this poster we demonstrate the realization of a quantum gas microscope for fermionic 40 K atoms trapped in an optical lattice and the recent experiments which allows one to probe strongly correlated fermions at the single atom level. We combine 3D Raman sideband cooling with high- resolution optics to simultaneously cool and image individual atoms with single lattice site resolution at a detection fidelity above 95%. The imaging process leaves the atoms predominantly in the 3D motional ground state of their respective lattice sites, inviting the implementation of a Maxwell's demon to assemble low-entropy many-body states. Single-site resolved imaging of fermions enables the direct observation of magnetic order, time resolved measurements of the spread of particle correlations, and the detection of many-fermion entanglement. NSF, AFOSR-PECASE, AFOSR-MURI on Exotic Phases of Matter, ARO-MURI on Atomtronics, ONR, a Grant from the Army Research Office with funding from the DARPA OLE program, and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Digital communication with Rydberg atoms and amplitude-modulated microwave fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, David H.; Cox, Kevin C.; Fatemi, Fredrik K.; Kunz, Paul D.

2018-05-01

Rydberg atoms, with one highly excited, nearly ionized electron, have extreme sensitivity to electric fields, including microwave fields ranging from 100 MHz to over 1 THz. Here, we show that room-temperature Rydberg atoms can be used as sensitive, high bandwidth, microwave communication antennas. We demonstrate near photon-shot-noise limited readout of data encoded in amplitude-modulated 17 GHz microwaves, using an electromagnetically induced-transparency (EIT) probing scheme. We measure a photon-shot-noise limited channel capacity of up to 8.2 Mbit s-1 and implement an 8-state phase-shift-keying digital communication protocol. The bandwidth of the EIT probing scheme is found to be limited by the available coupling laser power and the natural linewidth of the rubidium D2 transition. We discuss how atomic communication receivers offer several opportunities to surpass the capabilities of classical antennas.

Plasmonic trapping potentials for cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mildner, Matthias; Horrer, Andreas; Fleischer, Monika; Zimmermann, Claus; Slama, Sebastian

2018-07-01

This paper reports on conceptual and experimental work towards the realization of plasmonic surface traps for cold atoms. The trapping mechanism is based on the combination of a repulsive and an attractive potential generated by evanescent light waves that are plasmonically enhanced. The strength of enhancement can be locally manipulated via the thickness of a metal nanolayer deposited on top of a dielectric substrate. Thus, in principle the trapping geometry can be predefined by the metal layer design. We present simulations of a plasmonic lattice potential using a gold grating with sinusoidally modulated thickness. Experimentally, a first plasmonic test structure is presented and characterized. Furthermore, the surface potential landscape is detected by reflecting ultracold atom clouds from the test structure revealing the influence of both evanescent waves. A parameter range is identified where stable traps can be expected.

A low-power reversible alkali atom source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Songbai; Mott, Russell P.; Gilmore, Kevin A.; Sorenson, Logan D.; Rakher, Matthew T.; Donley, Elizabeth A.; Kitching, John; Roper, Christopher S.

2017-06-01

An electrically controllable, solid-state, reversible device for sourcing and sinking alkali vapor is presented. When placed inside an alkali vapor cell, both an increase and decrease in the rubidium vapor density by a factor of two are demonstrated through laser absorption spectroscopy on 10-15 s time scales. The device requires low voltage (5 V), low power (<3.4 mW peak power), and low energy (<10.7 mJ per 10 s pulse). The absence of oxygen emission during operation is shown through residual gas analysis, indicating that Rb is not lost through chemical reaction but rather by ion transport through the designed channel. This device is of interest for atomic physics experiments and, in particular, for portable cold-atom systems where dynamic control of alkali vapor density can enable advances in science and technology.

Experiments with Ultracold Quantum-degenerate Fermionic Lithium Atoms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ketterle, Wolfgang

2003-01-01

Experimental methods of laser and evaporative cooling, used in the production of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates have recently been extended to realize quantum degeneracy in trapped Fermi gases. Fermi gases are a new rich system to explore the implications of Pauli exclusion on scattering properties of the system, and ultimately fermionic superfluidity. We have produced a new macroscopic quantum system, in which a degenerate Li-6 Fermi gas coexists with a large and stable Na-23 BEC. This was accomplished using inter-species sympathetic cooling of fermionic 6Li in a thermal bath of bosonic Na-23. We have achieved high numbers of both fermions (less than 10(exp 5) and bosons (less than 10(exp 6), and Li-6 quantum degeneracy corresponding to one half of the Fermi temperature. This is the first time that a Fermi sea was produced with a condensate as a "refrigerator".

Narrow-line magneto-optical cooling and trapping of strongly magnetic atoms.

PubMed

Berglund, Andrew J; Hanssen, James L; McClelland, Jabez J

2008-03-21

Laser cooling on weak transitions is a useful technique for reaching ultracold temperatures in atoms with multiple valence electrons. However, for strongly magnetic atoms a conventional narrow-line magneto-optical trap (MOT) is destabilized by competition between optical and magnetic forces. We overcome this difficulty in Er by developing an unusual narrow-line MOT that balances optical and magnetic forces using laser light tuned to the blue side of a narrow (8 kHz) transition. The trap population is spin polarized with temperatures reaching below 2 muK. Our results constitute an alternative method for laser cooling on weak transitions, applicable to rare-earth-metal and metastable alkaline earth elements.

Continuous all-optical deceleration of molecular beams and demonstration with Rb atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Long, Xueping; Jayich, Andrew; Campbell, Wesley

2017-04-01

Ultracold samples of molecules are desirable for a variety of applications, such as many-body physics, precision measurement and quantum information science. However, the pursuit of ultracold molecules has achieved limited success: spontaneous emission into many different dark states makes it hard to optically decelerate molecules to trappable speed. We propose to address this problem with a general optical deceleration technique that exploits a pump-dump pulse pair from a mode-locked laser. A molecular beam is first excited by a counter-propagating ``pump'' pulse. The molecular beam is then driven back to the initial ground state by a co-propagating ``dump'' pulse via stimulated emission. The delay between the pump and dump pulse is set to be shorter than the excited state lifetimes in order to limit decays to dark states. We report progress benchmarking this stimulated force by accelerating a cold sample of neutral Rb atoms.

Intertwined and vestigial order with ultracold atoms in multiple cavity modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopalakrishnan, Sarang; Shchadilova, Yulia E.; Demler, Eugene

2017-12-01

Atoms in transversely pumped optical cavities "self-organize" by forming a density wave and emitting superradiantly into the cavity mode(s). For a single-mode cavity, the properties of this self-organization transition are well characterized both theoretically and experimentally. Here, we explore the self-organization of a Bose-Einstein condensate in the presence of two cavity modes—a system that recently was realized experimentally [Léonard et al., Nature (London) 543, 87 (2017), 10.1038/nature21067]. We argue that this system can exhibit a "vestigially ordered" phase in which neither cavity mode exhibits superradiance but the cavity modes are mutually phase locked by the atoms. We argue that this vestigially ordered phase should generically be present in multimode cavity geometries.

Laser cooling of rubidium atoms in a 2D optical lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Chunhua; Kuhn, Carlos C. N.

2018-06-01

Lossless polarization gradient cooling of ?? atoms in a far-detuned 2D optical lattice is demonstrated. Temperatures down to ?K and phase space densities as high as 1 / 1000 are achieved in a total duty cycle of ?. It is shown that utilizing the vector component of the optical lattice allows lower temperatures to be achieved when compared with pure scalar lattices.

Exotic topological density waves in cold atomic Rydberg-dressed fermions

PubMed Central

Li, Xiaopeng; Sarma, S Das

2015-01-01

Versatile controllability of interactions in ultracold atomic and molecular gases has now reached an era where quantum correlations and unconventional many-body phases can be studied with no corresponding analogues in solid-state systems. Recent experiments in Rydberg atomic gases have achieved exquisite control over non-local interactions, allowing novel quantum phases unreachable with the usual local interactions in atomic systems. Here we study Rydberg-dressed atomic fermions in a three-dimensional optical lattice predicting the existence of hitherto unheard-of exotic mixed topological density wave phases. By varying the spatial range of the non-local interaction, we find various chiral density waves with spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking, whose quasiparticles form three-dimensional quantum Hall and Weyl semimetal states. Remarkably, certain density waves even exhibit mixed topologies beyond the existing topological classification. Our results suggest gapless fermionic states could exhibit far richer topology than previously expected. PMID:25972134

Control of spontaneous emission from a microwave-field-driven four-level atom in an anisotropic photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Duo; Li, Jiahua; Ding, Chunling; Yang, Xiaoxue

2012-05-01

The spontaneous emission properties of a microwave-field-driven four-level atom embedded in anisotropic double-band photonic crystals (PCs) are investigated. We discuss the influences of the band-edge positions, Rabi frequency and detuning of the microwave field on the emission spectrum. It is found that several interesting features such as spectral-line enhancement, spectral-line suppression, spectral-line overlap, and multi-peak structures can be observed in the spectra. The proposed scheme can be achieved by use of a microwave-coupled field into hyperfine levels in rubidium atom confined in a photonic crystal. These theoretical investigations may provide more degrees of freedom to manipulate the atomic spontaneous emission.

Fundamental Interactions for Atom Interferometry with Ultracold Quantum Gases in a Microgravity Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Incao, Jose P.; Willians, Jason R.

2015-05-01

Precision atom interferometers (AI) in space are a key element for several applications of interest to NASA. Our proposal for participating in the Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) onboard the International Space Station is dedicated to mitigating the leading-order systematics expected to corrupt future high-precision AI-based measurements of fundamental physics in microgravity. One important focus of our proposal is to enhance initial state preparation for dual-species AIs. Our proposed filtering scheme uses Feshbach molecular states to create highly correlated mixtures of heteronuclear atomic gases in both their position and momentum distributions. We will detail our filtering scheme along with the main factors that determine its efficiency. We also show that the atomic and molecular heating and loss rates can be mitigated at the unique temperature and density regimes accessible on CAL. This research is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Fidelity for kicked atoms with gravity near a quantum resonance.

PubMed

Dubertrand, Rémy; Guarneri, Italo; Wimberger, Sandro

2012-03-01

Kicked atoms under a constant Stark or gravity field are investigated for experimental setups with cold and ultracold atoms. The parametric stability of the quantum dynamics is studied using the fidelity. In the case of a quantum resonance, it is shown that the behavior of the fidelity depends on arithmetic properties of the gravity parameter. Close to a quantum resonance, the long-time asymptotics of the fidelity is studied by means of a pseudoclassical approximation introduced by Fishman et al. [J. Stat. Phys. 110, 911 (2003)]. The long-time decay of fidelity arises from the tunneling out of pseudoclassical stable islands, and a simple ansatz is proposed which satisfactorily reproduces the main features observed in numerical simulations.

Measurements of the energy distribution of a high brightness rubidium ion beam.

PubMed

Ten Haaf, G; Wouters, S H W; Nijhof, D F J; Mutsaers, P H A; Vredenbregt, E J D

2018-07-01

The energy distribution of a high brightness rubidium ion beam, which is intended to be used as the source for a focused ion beam instrument, is measured with a retarding field analyzer. The ions are created from a laser-cooled and compressed atomic beam by two-step photoionization in which the ionization laser power is enhanced in a build-up cavity. Particle tracing simulations are performed to ensure the analyzer is able to resolve the distribution. The lowest achieved full width 50% energy spread is (0.205 ± 0.006) eV, which is measured at a beam current of 9 pA. The energy spread originates from the variation in the ionization position of the ions which are created inside an extraction electric field. This extraction field is essential to limit disorder-induced heating which can decrease the ion beam brightness. The ionization position distribution is limited by a tightly focused excitation laser beam. Energy distributions are measured for various ionization and excitation laser intensities and compared with calculations based on numerical solutions of the optical Bloch equations including ionization. A good agreement is found between measurements and calculations. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Single-atom edgelike states via quantum interference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pelegrí, G.; Polo, J.; Turpin, A.; Lewenstein, M.; Mompart, J.; Ahufinger, V.

2017-01-01

We demonstrate how quantum interference may lead to the appearance of robust edgelike states of a single ultracold atom in a two-dimensional optical ribbon. We show that these states can be engineered within the manifold of either local ground states of the sites forming the ribbon or states carrying one unit of angular momentum. In the former case, we show that the implementation of edgelike states can be extended to other geometries, such as tilted square lattices. In the latter case, we suggest using the winding number associated to the angular momentum as a synthetic dimension.

Direct Frequency Comb Spectroscopy of Alkali Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradhananga, Trinity; Palm, Christopher; Nguyen, Khoa; Guttikonda, Srikanth; Kimball, Derek Jackson

2011-11-01

We are using direct frequency comb spectroscopy to study transition frequencies and excited state hyperfine structure in potassium and rubidium using 2-photon transitions excited directly with the frequency-doubled output of a erbium fiber optical frequency comb. The frequency comb output is directed in two counterpropagating directions through a vapor cell containing the atomic vapor of interest. A pair of optical filters is used to select teeth of the comb in order to identify the transition wavelengths. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) measures fluorescence from a decay channel wavelength selected with another optical filter. Using different combinations of filters enables a wide range of transitions to be investigated. By scanning the repetition rate, a Doppler-free spectrum can be obtained enabling kHz-resolution spectral measurements. The thermal motion of the atoms in the vapor cell actually eliminates the need to fine-tune the offset frequency and repetition rate, alleviating a somewhat challenging requirement for spectroscopy of cold atoms. Our investigations are laying the groundwork for a long-term research program to use direct frequency comb spectroscopy to understand the complex spectra of rare-earth atoms.

Creation of a strongly dipolar gas of ultracold ground-state 23 Na87 Rb molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Mingyang; Zhu, Bing; Lu, Bo; Ye, Xin; Wang, Fudong; Wang, Dajun; Vexiau, Romain; Bouloufa-Maafa, Nadia; Quéméner, Goulven; Dulieu, Olivier

2016-05-01

We report on successful creation of an ultracold sample of ground-state 23 Na87 Rb molecules with a large effective electric dipole moment. Through a carefully designed two-photon Raman process, we have successfully transferred the magneto-associated Feshbach molecules to the singlet ground state with high efficiency, obtaining up to 8000 23 Na87 Rb molecules with peak number density over 1011 cm-3 in their absolute ground-state level. With an external electric field, we have induced an effective dipole moment over 1 Debye, making 23 Na87 Rb the most dipolar ultracold particle ever achieved. Contrary to the expectation, we observed a rather fast population loss even for 23 Na87 Rb in the absolute ground state with the bi-molecular exchange reaction energetically forbidden. The origin for the short lifetime and possible ways of mitigating it are currently under investigation. Our achievements pave the way toward investigation of ultracold bosonic molecules with strong dipolar interactions. This work is supported by the Hong Kong RGC CUHK404712 and the ANR/RGC Joint Research Scheme ACUHK403/13.

Antihydrogen-hydrogen elastic scattering at thermal energies using an atomic-orbital technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sinha, Prabal K.; Chaudhuri, Puspitapallab; Ghosh, A.S.

2003-05-01

In view of the recent interest in the trapping of antihydrogen atom H(bar sign), at very low temperatures, H-bar-H scattering has been investigated at low incident energies using a close-coupling model with the basis set H-bar(1s,2s,2p-bar)+H(1s,2s,2p-bar). The predicted s-wave elastic phase shifts, scattering length, and effective range are in a good agreement with the other recent predictions of Jonsell et al. and of Armour and Chamberlain. The results indicate that the atomic orbital expansion model is suitable to study the H-bar-H scattering at ultracold temperatures.

Effect of atomic noise on optical squeezing via polarization self-rotation in a thermal vapor cell

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hsu, M. T. L.; Hetet, G.; Peng, A.

2006-02-15

The traversal of an elliptically polarized optical field through a thermal vapor cell can give rise to a rotation of its polarization axis. This process, known as polarization self-rotation (PSR), has been suggested as a mechanism for producing squeezed light at atomic transition wavelengths. We show results of the characterization of PSR in isotopically enhanced rubidium-87 cells, performed in two independent laboratories. We observed that, contrary to earlier work, the presence of atomic noise in the thermal vapor overwhelms the observation of squeezing. We present a theory that contains atomic noise terms and show that a null result in squeezingmore » is consistent with this theory.« less

Cold Rydberg atoms in circular states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, David; Schwarzkopf, Andrew; Raithel, Georg

2012-06-01

Circular-state Rydberg atoms are interesting in that they exhibit a unique combination of extraordinary properties; long lifetimes (˜n^5), large magnetic moments (l=|m|=n-1) and no first order Stark shift. Circular states have found applications in cavity quantum electrodynamics and precision measurements [1,2], among other studies. In this work we present the production of circular states in an atom trapping apparatus using an adiabatic state-switching method (the crossed-field method [3]). To date, we have observed lifetimes of adiabatically prepared states of several milliseconds. Their relatively large ionization electric fields have been verified by time-of-flight signatures of ion trajectories. We intend to explore the magnetic trapping of circular state Rydberg atoms, as well as their production and interaction properties in ultra-cold and degenerate samples.[4pt] [1] P. Bertet et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 88, 14 (2002)[0pt] [2] M. Brune et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 72, 21 (1994)[0pt] [3] D. Delande and J.C. Gay, Europhys. Lett., 5, 303-308 (1988).

Recent results of the pulsed optically pumped rubidium clock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levi, F.; Micalizio, S.; Godone, A.; Calosso, C.; Bertacco, E.

2017-11-01

A laboratory prototype of a pulsed optically pumped (POP) clock based on a rubidium cell with buffer gas is described. This clock has shown very interesting physical and metrological features, such as negligible light-shift, strongly reduced cavity-pulling and very good frequency stability. In this regard, an Allan deviation of σy(τ) = 1.2 τ-1/2 for measurement times up to τ = 105 s has been measured. These results confirm the interesting perspectives of such a frequency standard and make it very attractive for several technological applications, such as radionavigation.

The ac stark shift and space-borne rubidium atomic clocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Formichella, V.; Camparo, J.; Sesia, I.; Signorile, G.; Galleani, L.; Huang, M.; Tavella, P.

2016-11-01

Due to its small size, low weight, and low power consumption, the Rb atomic frequency standard (RAFS) is routinely the first choice for atomic timekeeping in space. Consequently, though the device has very good frequency stability (rivaling passive hydrogen masers), there is interest in uncovering the fundamental processes limiting its long-term performance, with the goal of improving the device for future space systems and missions. The ac Stark shift (i.e., light shift) is one of the more likely processes limiting the RAFS' long-term timekeeping ability, yet its manifestation in the RAFS remains poorly understood. In part, this comes from the fact that light-shift induced frequency fluctuations must be quantified in terms of the RAFS' light-shift coefficient and the output variations in the RAFS' rf-discharge lamp, which is a nonlinear inductively-couple plasma (ICP). Here, we analyze the light-shift effect for a family of 10 on-orbit Block-IIR GPS RAFS, examining decade-long records of their on-orbit frequency and rf-discharge lamp fluctuations. We find that the ICP's light intensity variations can take several forms: deterministic aging, jumps, ramps, and non-stationary noise, each of which affects the RAFS' frequency via the light shift. Correlating these light intensity changes with RAFS frequency changes, we estimate the light-shift coefficient, κLS, for the family of RAFS: κLS = -(1.9 ± 0.3) × 10-12/%. The 16% family-wide variation in κLS indicates that while each RAFS may have its own individual κLS, the variance of κLS among similarly designed RAFS can be relatively small. Combining κLS with our estimate of the ICP light intensity's non-stationary noise, we find evidence that random-walk frequency noise in high-quality space-borne RAFS is strongly influenced by the RAFS' rf-discharge lamp via the light shift effect.

On-orbit frequency stability analysis of the GPS NAVSTAR-1 quartz clock and the NAVSTARs-6 and -8 rubidium clocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccaskill, T. B.; Buisson, J. A.; Reid, W. G.

1984-01-01

An on-orbit frequency stability performance analysis of the GPS NAVSTAR-1 quartz clock and the NAVSTARs-6 and -8 rubidium clocks is presented. The clock offsets were obtained from measurements taken at the GPS monitor stations which use high performance cesium standards as a reference. Clock performance is characterized through the use of the Allan variance, which is evaluated for sample times of 15 minutes to two hours, and from one day to 10 days. The quartz and rubidium clocks' offsets were corrected for aging rate before computing the frequency stability. The effect of small errors in aging rate is presented for the NAVSTAR-8 rubidium clock's stability analysis. The analysis includes presentation of time and frequency residuals with respect to linear and quadratic models, which aid in obtaining aging rate values and identifying systematic and random effects. The frequency stability values were further processed with a time domain noise process analysis, which is used to classify random noise process and modulation type.

Defect-free atomic array formation using the Hungarian matching algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Woojun; Kim, Hyosub; Ahn, Jaewook

2017-05-01

Deterministic loading of single atoms onto arbitrary two-dimensional lattice points has recently been demonstrated, where by dynamically controlling the optical-dipole potential, atoms from a probabilistically loaded lattice were relocated to target lattice points to form a zero-entropy atomic lattice. In this atom rearrangement, how to pair atoms with the target sites is a combinatorial optimization problem: brute-force methods search all possible combinations so the process is slow, while heuristic methods are time efficient but optimal solutions are not guaranteed. Here, we use the Hungarian matching algorithm as a fast and rigorous alternative to this problem of defect-free atomic lattice formation. Our approach utilizes an optimization cost function that restricts collision-free guiding paths so that atom loss due to collision is minimized during rearrangement. Experiments were performed with cold rubidium atoms that were trapped and guided with holographically controlled optical-dipole traps. The result of atom relocation from a partially filled 7 ×7 lattice to a 3 ×3 target lattice strongly agrees with the theoretical analysis: using the Hungarian algorithm minimizes the collisional and trespassing paths and results in improved performance, with over 50% higher success probability than the heuristic shortest-move method.

Optical coupling of cold atoms to a levitated nanosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montoya, Cris; Witherspoon, Apryl; Fausett, Jacob; Lim, Jason; Kitching, John; Geraci, Andrew

2017-04-01

Cooling mechanical oscillators to their quantum ground state enables the study of quantum phenomena at macroscopic levels. In many cases, the temperature required to cool a mechanical mode to the ground state is below what current cryogenic systems can achieve. As an alternative to cooling via cryogenic systems, it has been shown theoretically that optically trapped nanospheres could reach the ground state by sympathetically cooling the spheres via cold atoms. Such cooled spheres can be used in quantum limited sensing and matter-wave interferometry, and could also enable new hybrid quantum systems where mechanical oscillators act as transducers. In our setup, optical fields are used to couple a sample of cold Rubidium atoms to a nanosphere. The sphere is optically levitated in a separate vacuum chamber, while the atoms are trapped in a 1-D optical lattice and cooled using optical molasses. This work is partially supported by NSF, Grant No. PHY-1506431.

Kinetics of Alkaline Decomposition and Cyaniding of Argentian Rubidium Jarosite in NaOH Medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez, Eleazar Salinas; Sáenz, Eduardo Cerecedo; Ramírez, Marius; Cardona, Francisco Patiño; Labra, Miguel Pérez

2012-10-01

The alkaline decomposition of Argentian rubidium jarosite in NaOH media is characterized by an induction period and a progressive conversion period in which the sulfate and rubidium ions pass to the solution, leaving an amorphous iron hydroxide residue. The process is chemically controlled and the order of reaction with respect to hydroxide concentration in the range of 1.75 and 20.4 mol OH- m-3 is 0.94, while activation energy in the range of temperatures of 298 K to 328 K (25 °C to 55 °C) is 91.3 kJ mol-1. Cyaniding of Argentian rubidium jarosite in NaOH media presents a reaction order of 0 with respect to NaCN concentration (in the range of 5 to 41 mol m-3) and an order of reaction of 0.62 with respect to hydroxide concentration, in the range of 1.1 and 30 mol [OH-] m-3. In this case, the cyaniding process can be described, as in other jarosites, as the following two-step process: (1) a step (slow) of alkaline decomposition that controls the overall process followed by (2) a fast step of silver complexation. The activation energy during cyaniding in the range of temperatures of 298 K to 333 K (25 °C to 60 °C) is 43.5 kJ mol-1, which is characteristic of a process controlled by chemical reaction. These results are quite similar to that observed for several synthetic jarosites and that precipitated in a zinc hydrometallurgical plant (Industrial Minera México, San Luis Potosi).

Building one molecule from a reservoir of two atoms.

PubMed

Liu, L R; Hood, J D; Yu, Y; Zhang, J T; Hutzler, N R; Rosenband, T; Ni, K-K

2018-05-25

Chemical reactions typically proceed via stochastic encounters between reactants. Going beyond this paradigm, we combined exactly two atoms in a single, controlled reaction. The experimental apparatus traps two individual laser-cooled atoms [one sodium (Na) and one cesium (Cs)] in separate optical tweezers and then merges them into one optical dipole trap. Subsequently, photoassociation forms an excited-state NaCs molecule. The discovery of previously unseen resonances near the molecular dissociation threshold and measurement of collision rates are enabled by the tightly trapped ultracold sample of atoms. As laser-cooling and trapping capabilities are extended to more elements, the technique will enable the study of more diverse, and eventually more complex, molecules in an isolated environment, as well as synthesis of designer molecules for qubits. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Master equation with quantized atomic motion including dipole-dipole interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damanet, François; Braun, Daniel; Martin, John

2016-05-01

We derive a markovian master equation for the internal dynamics of an ensemble of two-level atoms including all effects related to the quantization of their motion. Our equation provides a unifying picture of the consequences of recoil and indistinguishability of atoms beyond the Lamb-Dicke regime on both their dissipative and conservative dynamics, and is relevant for experiments with ultracold trapped atoms. We give general expressions for the decay rates and the dipole-dipole shifts for any motional states, and we find analytical formulas for a number of relevant states (Gaussian states, Fock states and thermal states). In particular, we show that the dipole-dipole interactions and cooperative photon emission can be modulated through the external state of motion. The effects predicted should be experimentally observable with Rydberg atoms. FD would like to thank the F.R.S.-FNRS for financial support. FD is a FRIA Grant holder of the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique-FNRS.

Calculations with the quasirelativistic local-spin-density-functional theory for high-Z atoms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Y.; Whitehead, M.A.

1988-10-01

The generalized-exchange local-spin-density-functional theory (LSD-GX) with relativistic corrections of the mass velocity and Darwin terms has been used to calculate statistical total energies for the neutral atoms, the positive ions, and the negative ions for high-Z elements. The effect of the correlation and relaxation correction on the statistical total energy is discussed. Comparing the calculated results for the ionization potentials and electron affinities for the atoms (atomic number Z from 37 to 56 and 72 to 80) with experiment, shows that for the atoms rubidium to barium both the LSD-GX and the quasirelativistic LSD-GX, with self-interaction correction, Gopinathan, Whitehead, andmore » Bogdanovic's Fermi-hole parameters (Phys. Rev. A 14, 1 (1976)), and Vosko, Wilk, and Nusair's correlation correction (Can. J. Phys. 58, 1200 (1980)), are very good methods for calculating ionization potentials and electron affinities. For the atoms hafnium to mercury the relativistic effect has to be considered.« less

Mean-field scaling of the superfluid to Mott insulator transition in a 2D optical superlattice.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okano, Masayuki; Thomas, Claire; Barter, Thomas; Leung, Tsz-Him; Jo, Gyu-Boong; Guzman, Jennie; Kimchi, Itamar; Vishwanath, Ashvin; Stamper-Kurn, Dan

2017-04-01

Quantum gases within optical lattices provide a nearly ideal experimental representation of the Bose-Hubbard model. The mean-field treatment of this model predicts properties of non-zero temperature lattice-trapped gasses to be insensitive to the specific lattice geometry once system energies are scaled by the lattice coordination number z. We examine an ultracold Bose gas of rubidium atoms prepared within a two-dimensional lattice whose geometry can be tuned between two configurations, triangular and kagome, for which z varies from six to four, respectively. Measurements of the coherent fraction of the gas thereby provide a quantitative test of the mean-field scaling prediction. We observe the suppression of superfluidity upon decreasing z, and find our results to be consistent with the predicted mean-field scaling. These optical lattice systems can offer a way to study paradigmatic solid-state phenomena in highly controlled crystal structures. This work was supported by the NSF and by the Army Research Office with funding from the DARPA OLE program.

Structural and dynamical properties of recombining ultracold neutral plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Sanat Kumar; Shaffer, Nathaniel R.; Baalrud, Scott D.

2017-10-01

An ultracold plasma (UCP) is an evolving collection of free charges and bound charges (Rydberg atoms). Over time, bound species concentration increases due to recombination. We present the structural and dynamical properties of an evolving UCP using classical molecular dynamics simulation. Coulomb collapse is avoided using a repulsive core with the attractive Coulomb potential. The repulsive core size controls the concentration of bound states, as it determines the depth of the potential well between opposite charges. We vary the repulsive core size to emulate the quasi-static state of plasma at different time during the evolution. Binary, chain and ring-like bound states are observed in the simulation carried out at different coupling strengths and repulsive core size. The effect of bound states can be seen as molecular peaks in the radial distribution function (RDF). The thermodynamic properties associated with the free charges can be analyzed from RDF by separating free from bound states. These bound states also change the dynamical properties of the plasma. The electron velocity auto-correlation displays oscillations due to the orbital motion in bound states. These bound states act like a neutral species, damping electron plasmon modes and broadening the ion acoustic mode. This work is supported by AFOSR Grant Number FA9550-16-1-0221. It used computational resources by XSEDE, which is supported by NSF Grant Number ACI-1053575.

Transfer coefficients in ultracold strongly coupled plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bobrov, A. A.; Vorob'ev, V. S.; Zelener, B. V.

2018-03-01

We use both analytical and molecular dynamic methods for electron transfer coefficients in an ultracold plasma when its temperature is small and the coupling parameter characterizing the interaction of electrons and ions exceeds unity. For these conditions, we use the approach of nearest neighbor to determine the average electron (ion) diffusion coefficient and to calculate other electron transfer coefficients (viscosity and electrical and thermal conductivities). Molecular dynamics simulations produce electronic and ionic diffusion coefficients, confirming the reliability of these results. The results compare favorably with experimental and numerical data from earlier studies.

Dual-Beam Atom Laser Driven by Spinor Dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thompson, Robert; Lundblad, Nathan; Maleki, Lute; Aveline, David

2007-01-01

An atom laser now undergoing development simultaneously generates two pulsed beams of correlated Rb-87 atoms. (An atom laser is a source of atoms in beams characterized by coherent matter waves, analogous to a conventional laser, which is a source of coherent light waves.) The pumping mechanism of this atom laser is based on spinor dynamics in a Bose-Einstein condensate. By virtue of the angular-momentum conserving collisions that generate the two beams, the number of atoms in one beam is correlated with the number of atoms in the other beam. Such correlations are intimately linked to entanglement and squeezing in atomic ensembles, and atom lasers like this one could be used in exploring related aspects of Bose-Einstein condensates, and as components of future sensors relying on atom interferometry. In this atom-laser apparatus, a Bose-Einstein condensate of about 2 x 10(exp 6) Rb-87 atoms at a temperature of about 120 micro-K is first formed through all-optical means in a relatively weak singlebeam running-wave dipole trap that has been formed by focusing of a CO2-laser beam. By a technique that is established in the art, the trap is loaded from an ultrahigh-vacuum magnetooptical trap that is, itself, loaded via a cold atomic beam from an upstream two-dimensional magneto-optical trap that resides in a rubidium-vapor cell that is differentially pumped from an adjoining vacuum chamber, wherein are performed scientific observations of the beams ultimately generated by the atom laser.

Development of a sub-miniature rubidium oscillator for SEEKTALK application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fruehauf, H.; Weidemann, W.; Jechart, E.

1981-01-01

Warm-up and size challenges to oscillator construction are presented as well as the problems involved in these tasks. The performance of M-100 military rubidium oscillator is compared to that of a subminiture rubididum oscillator (M-1000). Methods of achieving 1.5 minute warm-up are discussed as well as improvements in performance under adverse environmental conditions, including temperature, vibration, and magnetics. An attempt is made to construct an oscillator error budget under a set of arbitrary mission conditions.

Compact mode-locked diode laser system for high precision frequency comparisons in microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christopher, H.; Kovalchuk, E. V.; Wicht, A.; Erbert, G.; Tränkle, G.; Peters, A.

2017-11-01

Nowadays cold atom-based quantum sensors such as atom interferometers start leaving optical labs to put e.g. fundamental physics under test in space. One of such intriguing applications is the test of the Weak Equivalence Principle, the Universality of Free Fall (UFF), using different quantum objects such as rubidium (Rb) and potassium (K) ultra-cold quantum gases. The corresponding atom interferometers are implemented with light pulses from narrow linewidth lasers emitting near 767 nm (K) and 780 nm (Rb). To determine any relative acceleration of the K and Rb quantum ensembles during free fall, the frequency difference between the K and Rb lasers has to be measured very accurately by means of an optical frequency comb. Micro-gravity applications not only require good electro-optical characteristics but are also stringent in their demand for compactness, robustness and efficiency. For frequency comparison experiments the rather complex fiber laser-based frequency comb system may be replaced by one semiconductor laser chip and some passive components. Here we present an important step towards this direction, i.e. we report on the development of a compact mode-locked diode laser system designed to generate a highly stable frequency comb in the wavelength range of 780 nm.

Spin-orbit coupling in ultracold Fermi gases of 173Yb atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Bo; He, Chengdong; Hajiyev, Elnur; Ren, Zejian; Seo, Bojeong; Cai, Geyue; Amanov, Dovran; Zhang, Shanchao; Jo, Gyu-Boong

2017-04-01

Synthetic spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in cold atoms opens an intriguing new way to probe nontrivial topological orders beyond natural conditions. Here, we report the realization of the SOC physics both in a bulk system and in an optical lattice. First, we demonstrate two hallmarks induced from SOC in a bulk system, spin dephasing in the Rabi oscillation and asymmetric atomic distribution in the momentum space respectively. Then we describe the observation of non-trivial spin textures and the determination of the topological phase transition in a spin-dependent optical lattice dressed by the periodic Raman field. Furthermore, we discuss the quench dynamics between topological and trivial states by suddenly changing the band topology. Our work paves a new way to study non-equilibrium topological states in a controlled manner. Funded by Croucher Foundation and Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong (Project ECS26300014, GRF16300215, GRF16311516, and Croucher Innovation Grants).

Spatially distributed multipartite entanglement enables EPR steering of atomic clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunkel, Philipp; Prüfer, Maximilian; Strobel, Helmut; Linnemann, Daniel; Frölian, Anika; Gasenzer, Thomas; Gärttner, Martin; Oberthaler, Markus K.

2018-04-01

A key resource for distributed quantum-enhanced protocols is entanglement between spatially separated modes. However, the robust generation and detection of entanglement between spatially separated regions of an ultracold atomic system remain a challenge. We used spin mixing in a tightly confined Bose-Einstein condensate to generate an entangled state of indistinguishable particles in a single spatial mode. We show experimentally that this entanglement can be spatially distributed by self-similar expansion of the atomic cloud. We used spatially resolved spin read-out to reveal a particularly strong form of quantum correlations known as Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering between distinct parts of the expanded cloud. Based on the strength of EPR steering, we constructed a witness, which confirmed genuine 5-partite entanglement.

Near atomically smooth alkali antimonide photocathode thin films

DOE PAGES

Feng, Jun; Karkare, Siddharth; Nasiatka, James; ...

2017-01-24

Nano-roughness is one of the major factors degrading the emittance of electron beams that can be generated by high efficiency photocathodes, such as the thermally reacted alkali antimonide thin films. In this paper, we demonstrate a co-deposition based method for producing alkali antimonide cathodes that produce near atomic smoothness with high reproducibility. Here, we calculate the effect of the surface roughness on the emittance and show that such smooth cathode surfaces are essential for operation of alkali antimonide cathodes in high field, low emittance radio frequency electron guns and to obtain ultracold electrons for ultrafast electron diffraction applications.

Near atomically smooth alkali antimonide photocathode thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Jun; Karkare, Siddharth; Nasiatka, James

Nano-roughness is one of the major factors degrading the emittance of electron beams that can be generated by high efficiency photocathodes, such as the thermally reacted alkali antimonide thin films. In this paper, we demonstrate a co-deposition based method for producing alkali antimonide cathodes that produce near atomic smoothness with high reproducibility. Here, we calculate the effect of the surface roughness on the emittance and show that such smooth cathode surfaces are essential for operation of alkali antimonide cathodes in high field, low emittance radio frequency electron guns and to obtain ultracold electrons for ultrafast electron diffraction applications.

Three Body Recombination and Photoassociative Ultracold Collisions Studied Using Translational Energy

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-27

Sumission, or Preparation 1. "Multiple Scattering and the Density Distribution of a Cs MOT," R. Overstreet, P. Zabawa , J. Tallant, A. Schwettmann... Zabawa . J. Tallant, A. Schwettmann, J. Crawford, and J.P. Shaffer, DAMOP, Knoxville, TN, (2006). 6. "Ultracold Cs Rydberg Gas Dynamics," K.R

Coherent backscattering of light by an inhomogeneous cloud of cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labeyrie, Guillaume; Delande, Dominique; Müller, Cord A.; Miniatura, Christian; Kaiser, Robin

2003-03-01

When a quasiresonant laser beam illuminates an optically thick cloud of laser-cooled rubidium atoms, the average diffuse intensity reflected off the sample is enhanced in a narrow angular range around the direction of exact backscattering. This phenomenon is known as coherent backscattering (CBS). By detuning the laser from resonance, we are able to modify the light scattering mean-free path inside the sample and we record accordingly the variations of the CBS cone shape. We then compare the experimental data with theoretical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations including the effect of the light polarization and of the internal structure of the atoms. We confirm that the internal structure strongly affects the enhancement factor of the cone and we show that the unusual shape of the atomic medium—approximately a spherically-symmetric, Gaussian density profile—strongly affects the width and shape of the cone.

Ionization Spectroscopic Measurement of nP Rydberg Levels of 87Rb Cold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yufan; Zaheeruddin, Syed; Zhao, Dongmei; Ma, Xinwen; Yang, Jie

2018-05-01

We created an ultracold plasma via the spontaneous ionization of cold dense Rydberg atoms of 87Rb in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), and measured the nS1/2 (n = 50-80), nP1/2 (n = 16-23), nP3/2 (n = 16-98), and nD5/2 (n = 49-96) Rydberg levels by detecting the electrons in the ultracold plasma. By fitting the energy levels of Rydberg states, the first ionization potential of 33690.950(11) cm-1 and the quantum defects of S, P, and D orbitals were obtained. The absolute transition energies of nS1/2 (n = 66-80), nP1/2 (n = 16-23), nP3/2 (n = 16-98), and nD5/2 (n = 58-96) states of 87Rb, as well as the quantum defects for p1/2 and p3/2 series, are given for the first time.

Ghost imaging with atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khakimov, R. I.; Henson, B. M.; Shin, D. K.; Hodgman, S. S.; Dall, R. G.; Baldwin, K. G. H.; Truscott, A. G.

2016-12-01

Ghost imaging is a counter-intuitive phenomenon—first realized in quantum optics—that enables the image of a two-dimensional object (mask) to be reconstructed using the spatio-temporal properties of a beam of particles with which it never interacts. Typically, two beams of correlated photons are used: one passes through the mask to a single-pixel (bucket) detector while the spatial profile of the other is measured by a high-resolution (multi-pixel) detector. The second beam never interacts with the mask. Neither detector can reconstruct the mask independently, but temporal cross-correlation between the two beams can be used to recover a ‘ghost’ image. Here we report the realization of ghost imaging using massive particles instead of photons. In our experiment, the two beams are formed by correlated pairs of ultracold, metastable helium atoms, which originate from s-wave scattering of two colliding Bose-Einstein condensates. We use higher-order Kapitza-Dirac scattering to generate a large number of correlated atom pairs, enabling the creation of a clear ghost image with submillimetre resolution. Future extensions of our technique could lead to the realization of ghost interference, and enable tests of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen entanglement and Bell’s inequalities with atoms.

The BCS-BEC crossover: From ultra-cold Fermi gases to nuclear systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strinati, Giancarlo Calvanese; Pieri, Pierbiagio; Röpke, Gerd; Schuck, Peter; Urban, Michael

2018-04-01

This report addresses topics and questions of common interest in the fields of ultra-cold gases and nuclear physics in the context of the BCS-BEC crossover. By this crossover, the phenomena of Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superfluidity and Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC), which share the same kind of spontaneous symmetry breaking, are smoothly connected through the progressive reduction of the size of the fermion pairs involved as the fundamental entities in both phenomena. This size ranges, from large values when Cooper pairs are strongly overlapping in the BCS limit of a weak inter-particle attraction, to small values when composite bosons are non-overlapping in the BEC limit of a strong inter-particle attraction, across the intermediate unitarity limit where the size of the pairs is comparable with the average inter-particle distance. The BCS-BEC crossover has recently been realized experimentally, and essentially in all of its aspects, with ultra-cold Fermi gases. This realization, in turn, has raised the interest of the nuclear physics community in the crossover problem, since it represents an unprecedented tool to test fundamental and unanswered questions of nuclear many-body theory. Here, we focus on the several aspects of the BCS-BEC crossover, which are of broad joint interest to both ultra-cold Fermi gases and nuclear matter, and which will likely help to solve in the future some open problems in nuclear physics (concerning, for instance, neutron stars). Similarities and differences occurring in ultra-cold Fermi gases and nuclear matter will then be emphasized, not only about the relative phenomenologies but also about the theoretical approaches to be used in the two contexts. Common to both contexts is the fact that at zero temperature the BCS-BEC crossover can be described at the mean-field level with reasonable accuracy. At finite temperature, on the other hand, inclusion of pairing fluctuations beyond mean field represents an essential ingredient

Gradient echo quantum memory in warm atomic vapor.

PubMed

Pinel, Olivier; Hosseini, Mahdi; Sparkes, Ben M; Everett, Jesse L; Higginbottom, Daniel; Campbell, Geoff T; Lam, Ping Koy; Buchler, Ben C

2013-11-11

Gradient echo memory (GEM) is a protocol for storing optical quantum states of light in atomic ensembles. The primary motivation for such a technology is that quantum key distribution (QKD), which uses Heisenberg uncertainty to guarantee security of cryptographic keys, is limited in transmission distance. The development of a quantum repeater is a possible path to extend QKD range, but a repeater will need a quantum memory. In our experiments we use a gas of rubidium 87 vapor that is contained in a warm gas cell. This makes the scheme particularly simple. It is also a highly versatile scheme that enables in-memory refinement of the stored state, such as frequency shifting and bandwidth manipulation. The basis of the GEM protocol is to absorb the light into an ensemble of atoms that has been prepared in a magnetic field gradient. The reversal of this gradient leads to rephasing of the atomic polarization and thus recall of the stored optical state. We will outline how we prepare the atoms and this gradient and also describe some of the pitfalls that need to be avoided, in particular four-wave mixing, which can give rise to optical gain.

Gradient Echo Quantum Memory in Warm Atomic Vapor

PubMed Central

Pinel, Olivier; Hosseini, Mahdi; Sparkes, Ben M.; Everett, Jesse L.; Higginbottom, Daniel; Campbell, Geoff T.; Lam, Ping Koy; Buchler, Ben C.

2013-01-01

Gradient echo memory (GEM) is a protocol for storing optical quantum states of light in atomic ensembles. The primary motivation for such a technology is that quantum key distribution (QKD), which uses Heisenberg uncertainty to guarantee security of cryptographic keys, is limited in transmission distance. The development of a quantum repeater is a possible path to extend QKD range, but a repeater will need a quantum memory. In our experiments we use a gas of rubidium 87 vapor that is contained in a warm gas cell. This makes the scheme particularly simple. It is also a highly versatile scheme that enables in-memory refinement of the stored state, such as frequency shifting and bandwidth manipulation. The basis of the GEM protocol is to absorb the light into an ensemble of atoms that has been prepared in a magnetic field gradient. The reversal of this gradient leads to rephasing of the atomic polarization and thus recall of the stored optical state. We will outline how we prepare the atoms and this gradient and also describe some of the pitfalls that need to be avoided, in particular four-wave mixing, which can give rise to optical gain. PMID:24300586

Observation of the fluorescence spectrum for a driven cascade model system in atomic beam.

PubMed

Tian, Si-Cong; Wang, Chun-Liang; Tong, Cun-Zhu; Wang, Li-Jun; Wang, Hai-Hua; Yang, Xiu-Bin; Kang, Zhi-Hui; Gao, Jin-Yue

2012-10-08

We experimentally study the resonance fluorescence from an excited two-level atom when the atomic upper level is coupled by a nonresonant field to a higher-lying state in a rubidium atomic beam. The heights, widths and positions of the fluorescence peaks can be controlled by modifying the detuning of the auxiliary field. We explain the observed spectrum with the transition properties of the dressed states generated by the coupling of the two laser fields. We also attribute the line narrowing to the effects of Spontaneously Generated Coherence between the close-lying levels in the dressed state picture generated by the auxiliary field. And the corresponding spectrum can be viewed as the evidence of Spontaneously Generated Coherence. The experimental results agree well with calculations based on the density-matrix equations.

Atom-chip-based interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gebbe, Martina; Abend, Sven; Gersemann, Matthias; Ahlers, Holger; Muentinga, Hauke; Herrmann, Sven; Laemmerzahl, Claus; Ertmer, Wolfgang; Rasel, Ernst M.; Quantus Collaboration

2017-04-01

Due to their small spatial and momentum width ultracold Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) or even delta-kick collimated (DKC) atomic ensembles are very well suited for high precision atom interferometry and measure, for example, inertial forces with high accuracy. We generate such an ensemble in a miniaturized atom-chip setup, where BEC generation and DKC can be performed in a fast and reliable way. Using the chip as a retroreflector we have realized the first atom-chip-based gravimeter. All atom-optical operations including detection take place inside a volume of a one centimeter cube. In order to investigate new geometries we studied symmetric double Bragg diffraction as well as the coherent acceleration of atoms with Bloch oscillations. By combining both techniques we developed a novel relaunch mechanism, which we use to span a fountain geometry within our gravimeter. The relaunch increases the free fall time and, thus, enhances the device's sensitivity. Additionally, we employ these techniques to implement symmetric scalable large momentum beam splitters. This work is supported by the CRC 1128 geo-Q and the DLR with funds provided by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) due to an enactment of the German Bundestag under Grant No. DLR 50WM1552-1557 (QUANTUS-IV-Fallturm).

Coupling of a nanomechanical oscillator and an atomic three-level medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanz-Mora, A.; Eisfeld, A.; Wüster, S.; Rost, J.-M.

2016-02-01

We theoretically investigate the coupling of an ultracold three-level atomic gas and a nanomechanical mirror via classical electromagnetic radiation. The radiation pressure on the mirror is modulated by absorption of a probe light field, caused by the atoms which are electromagnetically rendered nearly transparent, allowing the gas to affect the mirror. In turn, the mirror can affect the gas as its vibrations generate optomechanical sidebands in the control field. We show that the sidebands cause modulations of the probe intensity at the mirror frequency, which can be enhanced near atomic resonances. Through the radiation pressure from the probe beam onto the mirror, this results in resonant driving of the mirror. Controllable by the two-photon detuning, the phase relation of the driving to the mirror motion decides upon amplification or damping of mirror vibrations. This permits direct phase locking of laser amplitude modulations to the motion of a nanomechanical element opening a perspective for cavity-free cooling through coupling to an atomic gas.

Homogeneous Atomic Fermi Gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Biswaroop; Yan, Zhenjie; Patel, Parth B.; Hadzibabic, Zoran; Yefsah, Tarik; Struck, Julian; Zwierlein, Martin W.

2017-03-01

We report on the creation of homogeneous Fermi gases of ultracold atoms in a uniform potential. In the momentum distribution of a spin-polarized gas, we observe the emergence of the Fermi surface and the saturated occupation of one particle per momentum state: the striking consequence of Pauli blocking in momentum space for a degenerate gas. Cooling a spin-balanced Fermi gas at unitarity, we create homogeneous superfluids and observe spatially uniform pair condensates. For thermodynamic measurements, we introduce a hybrid potential that is harmonic in one dimension and uniform in the other two. The spatially resolved compressibility reveals the superfluid transition in a spin-balanced Fermi gas, saturation in a fully polarized Fermi gas, and strong attraction in the polaronic regime of a partially polarized Fermi gas.

Possible Many-Body Localization in a Long-Lived Finite-Temperature Ultracold Quasineutral Molecular Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sous, John; Grant, Edward

2018-03-01

We argue that the quenched ultracold plasma presents an experimental platform for studying the quantum many-body physics of disordered systems in the long-time and finite energy-density limits. We consider an experiment that quenches a plasma of nitric oxide to an ultracold system of Rydberg molecules, ions, and electrons that exhibits a long-lived state of arrested relaxation. The qualitative features of this state fail to conform with classical models. Here, we develop a microscopic quantum description for the arrested phase based on an effective many-body spin Hamiltonian that includes both dipole-dipole and van der Waals interactions. This effective model appears to offer a way to envision the essential quantum disordered nonequilibrium physics of this system.

Implementation of quantum logic gates via Stark-tuned Förster resonance in Rydberg atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xi-Rong; Hu, Chang-Sheng; Shen, Li-Tuo; Yang, Zhen-Biao; Wu, Huai-Zhi

2018-02-01

We present a scheme for implementation of controlled-Z and controlled-NOT gates via rapid adiabatic passage and Stark-tuned Förster resonance. By sweeping the Förster resonance once without passing through it and adiabatically tuning the angle-dependent Rydberg-Rydberg interaction of the dipolar nature, the system can be effectively described by a two-level system with the adiabatic theorem. The single adiabatic passage leads to a gate fidelity as high as 0.999 and a greatly reduced gate operation time. We investigate the scheme by considering an actual atomic level configuration with rubidium atoms, where the fidelity of the controlled-Z gate is still higher than 0.99 under the influence of the Zeeman effect.

Recent developments in trapping and manipulation of atoms with adiabatic potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garraway, Barry M.; Perrin, Hélène

2016-09-01

A combination of static and oscillating magnetic fields can be used to ‘dress’ atoms with radio-frequency (RF), or microwave, radiation. The spatial variation of these fields can be used to create an enormous variety of traps for ultra-cold atoms and quantum gases. This article reviews the type and character of these adiabatic traps and the applications which include atom interferometry and the study of low-dimensional quantum systems. We introduce the main concepts of magnetic traps leading to adiabatic dressed traps. The concept of adiabaticity is discussed in the context of the Landau-Zener model. The first bubble trap experiment is reviewed together with the method used for loading it. Experiments based on atom chips show the production of double wells and ring traps. Dressed atom traps can be evaporatively cooled with an additional RF field, and a weak RF field can be used to probe the spectroscopy of the adiabatic potentials. Several approaches to ring traps formed from adiabatic potentials are discussed, including those based on atom chips, time-averaged adiabatic potentials and induction methods. Several proposals for adiabatic lattices with dressed atoms are also reviewed.

Metal-Insulator Transition Revisited for Cold Atoms in Non-Abelian Gauge Potentials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Satija, Indubala I.; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899; Dakin, Daniel C.

2006-11-24

We discuss the possibility of realizing metal-insulator transitions with ultracold atoms in two-dimensional optical lattices in the presence of artificial gauge potentials. For Abelian gauges, such transitions occur when the magnetic flux penetrating the lattice plaquette is an irrational multiple of the magnetic flux quantum. Here we present the first study of these transitions for non-Abelian U(2) gauge fields. In contrast to the Abelian case, the spectrum and localization transition in the non-Abelian case is strongly influenced by atomic momenta. In addition to determining the localization boundary, the momentum fragments the spectrum. Other key characteristics of the non-Abelian case includemore » the absence of localization for certain states and satellite fringes around the Bragg peaks in the momentum distribution and an interesting possibility that the transition can be tuned by the atomic momenta.« less

Localization of atomic excitation beyond the diffraction limit using electromagnetically induced transparency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miles, J. A.; Das, Diptaranjan; Simmons, Z. J.; Yavuz, D. D.

2015-09-01

We experimentally demonstrate the localization of excitation between hyperfine ground states of 87Rb atoms to as small as λ /13 -wide spatial regions. We use ultracold atoms trapped in a dipole trap and utilize electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) for the atomic excitation. The localization is achieved by combining a spatially varying coupling laser (standing wave) with the intensity dependence of EIT. The excitation is fast (150 ns laser pulses) and the dark-state fidelity can be made higher than 94% throughout the standing wave. Because the width of the localized regions is much smaller than the wavelength of the driving light, traditional optical imaging techniques cannot resolve the localized features. Therefore, to measure the excitation profile, we use an autocorrelation-like method where we perform two EIT sequences separated by a time delay, during which we move the standing wave.

Probe Knots and Hopf Insulators with Ultracold Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Dong-Ling; Wang, Sheng-Tao; Sun, Kai; Duan, L.-M.

2018-01-01

Knots and links are fascinating and intricate topological objects. Their influence spans from DNA and molecular chemistry to vortices in superfluid helium, defects in liquid crystals and cosmic strings in the early universe. Here we find that knotted structures also exist in a peculiar class of three-dimensional topological insulators—the Hopf insulators. In particular, we demonstrate that the momentum-space spin textures of Hopf insulators are twisted in a nontrivial way, which implies the presence of various knot and link structures. We further illustrate that the knots and nontrivial spin textures can be probed via standard time-of-flight images in cold atoms as preimage contours of spin orientations in stereographic coordinates. The extracted Hopf invariants, knots, and links are validated to be robust to typical experimental imperfections. Our work establishes the existence of knotted structures in Hopf insulators, which may have potential applications in spintronics and quantum information processing. D.L.D., S.T.W. and L.M.D. are supported by the ARL, the IARPA LogiQ program, and the AFOSR MURI program, and supported by Tsinghua University for their visits. K.S. acknowledges the support from NSF under Grant No. PHY1402971. D.L.D. is also supported by JQI-NSF-PFC and LPS-MPO-CMTC at the final stage of this paper.

Two-photon Direct Frequency Comb Spectroscopy of Alkali Atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Khoa; Pradhananga, Trinity; Palm, Christopher; Stalnaker, Jason; Kimball, Derek Jackson

2012-06-01

We are using direct frequency comb spectroscopy to study transition frequencies and excited state hyperfine structure in potassium and rubidium using 2-photon transitions excited directly with the frequency-doubled output of a erbium fiber optical frequency comb. The frequency comb output is directed in two counterpropagating directions through a vapor cell containing the atomic vapor of interest. A pair of optical filters is used to select teeth of the comb in order to identify the transition wavelengths. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) measures fluorescence from a decay channel wavelength selected with another optical filter. Using different combinations of filters enables a wide range of transitions to be investigated. By scanning the repetition rate, a Doppler-free spectrum can be obtained enabling kHz-resolution spectral measurements. The thermal motion of the atoms in the vapor cell actually eliminates the need to fine-tune the offset frequency and repetition rate, alleviating a somewhat challenging requirement for spectroscopy of cold atoms. Our investigations are laying the groundwork for a long-term research program to use direct frequency comb spectroscopy to understand the complex spectra of rare-earth atoms.

Novel ways of creating and detecting topological order with cold atoms and ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewenstein, Maciej

2015-03-01

In my talk I will focus on novel physics and novel quantum phases that are expected in lattice systems of ultra-cold atoms or ions in synthetic gauge fields, generated via lattice modulations and shaking. I will discuss fractal energy spectra and topological phases in long-range spin chains realized with trapped ions or atoms in nanofibers, and synthetic gauge fields in synthetic dimensions. I will spend large part of the talk discussing the ways to detect topological effects and order, via tomography of band insulators from quench dynamics, or via direct imaging of topological edge states. This work was supported by ERC AdG OSYRIS, EU IP SIQS, EU STREP EQUAM and Spanish Ministry Grant FOQUS.

Sympathetic cooling of polyatomic molecules with S-state atoms in a magnetic trap.

PubMed

Tscherbul, T V; Yu, H-G; Dalgarno, A

2011-02-18

We present a rigorous theoretical study of low-temperature collisions of polyatomic molecular radicals with (1)S(0) atoms in the presence of an external magnetic field. Accurate quantum scattering calculations based on ab initio and scaled interaction potentials show that collision-induced spin relaxation of the prototypical organic molecule CH(2)(X(3)B(1)) (methylene) and nine other triatomic radicals in cold (3)He gas occurs at a slow rate, demonstrating that cryogenic buffer-gas cooling and magnetic trapping of these molecules is feasible with current technology. Our calculations further suggest that it may be possible to create ultracold gases of polyatomic molecules by sympathetic cooling with alkaline-earth atoms in a magnetic trap.

Dielectric dispersion in pure and doped lithium rubidium sulphate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kassem, M. E.; El-Muraikhi, M.; Al-Houty, L.; Mohamed, A. A.

The frequency (102 - 105 Hz) dependence of the dielectric properties of lithium rubidium sulphate (LRS) are reported in the vicinity of the transition temperature Tc = 477 K. The a.c. conductivity σ(ω) shows a strong temperature dependence and weak frequency response. The dielectric constant in this region shows a strong frequency dispersion. A Cole-Cole diagram was used to determine the distribution parameter and the molecular relaxation time. The effect of doping with Dy+3, Sm+3 and V+3, was also studied. It was found that doping gives rise to localized states which produce a disorder in the structure of LiRbSO4.

Entangling atomic spins with a Rydberg-dressed spin-flip blockade

DOE PAGES

Jau, Y. -Y.; Hankin, A. M.; Keating, T.; ...

2015-10-05

Controlling the quantum entanglement between parts of a many-body system is key to unlocking the power of quantum technologies such as quantum computation, high-precision sensing, and the simulation of many-body physics. The spin degrees of freedom of ultracold neutral atoms in their ground electronic state provide a natural platform for such applications thanks to their long coherence times and the ability to control them with magneto-optical fields. However, the creation of strong coherent coupling between spins has been challenging. In this paper, we demonstrate a strong and tunable Rydberg-dressed interaction between spins of individually trapped caesium atoms with energy shiftsmore » of order 1 MHz in units of Planck’s constant. This interaction leads to a ground-state spin-flip blockade, whereby simultaneous hyperfine spin flips of two atoms are inhibited owing to their mutual interaction. Finally, we employ this spin-flip blockade to rapidly produce single-step Bell-state entanglement between two atoms with a fidelity ≥81(2)%.« less

Isotopic Shift of Atom-Dimer Efimov Resonances in K-Rb Mixtures: Critical Effect of Multichannel Feshbach Physics.

PubMed

Kato, K; Wang, Yujun; Kobayashi, J; Julienne, P S; Inouye, S

2017-04-21

Multichannel Efimov physics is investigated in ultracold heteronuclear admixtures of K and Rb atoms. We observe a shift in the scattering length where the first atom-dimer resonance appears in the ^{41}K-^{87}Rb system relative to the position of the previously observed atom-dimer resonance in the ^{40}K-^{87}Rb system. This shift is well explained by our calculations with a three-body model including van der Waals interactions, and, more importantly, multichannel spinor physics. With only minor differences in the atomic masses of the admixtures, the shift in the atom-dimer resonance positions can be cleanly ascribed to the isolated and overlapping Feshbach resonances in the ^{40}K-^{87}Rb and ^{41}K-^{87}Rb systems, respectively. Our study demonstrates the role of multichannel Feshbach physics in determining Efimov resonances in heteronuclear three-body systems.

Manipulating Neutral Atoms in Chip-Based Magnetic Traps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aveline, David; Thompson, Robert; Lundblad, Nathan; Maleki, Lute; Yu, Nan; Kohel, James

2009-01-01

Several techniques for manipulating neutral atoms (more precisely, ultracold clouds of neutral atoms) in chip-based magnetic traps and atomic waveguides have been demonstrated. Such traps and waveguides are promising components of future quantum sensors that would offer sensitivities much greater than those of conventional sensors. Potential applications include gyroscopy and basic research in physical phenomena that involve gravitational and/or electromagnetic fields. The developed techniques make it possible to control atoms with greater versatility and dexterity than were previously possible and, hence, can be expected to contribute to the value of chip-based magnetic traps and atomic waveguides. The basic principle of these techniques is to control gradient magnetic fields with suitable timing so as to alter a trap to exert position-, velocity-, and/or time-dependent forces on atoms in the trap to obtain desired effects. The trap magnetic fields are generated by controlled electric currents flowing in both macroscopic off-chip electromagnet coils and microscopic wires on the surface of the chip. The methods are best explained in terms of examples. Rather than simply allowing atoms to expand freely into an atomic waveguide, one can give them a controllable push by switching on an externally generated or a chip-based gradient magnetic field. This push can increase the speed of the atoms, typically from about 5 to about 20 cm/s. Applying a non-linear magnetic-field gradient exerts different forces on atoms in different positions a phenomenon that one can exploit by introducing a delay between releasing atoms into the waveguide and turning on the magnetic field.

From rotating atomic rings to quantum Hall states.

PubMed

Roncaglia, M; Rizzi, M; Dalibard, J

2011-01-01

Considerable efforts are currently devoted to the preparation of ultracold neutral atoms in the strongly correlated quantum Hall regime. However, the necessary angular momentum is very large and in experiments with rotating traps this means spinning frequencies extremely near to the deconfinement limit; consequently, the required control on parameters turns out to be too stringent. Here we propose instead to follow a dynamic path starting from the gas initially confined in a rotating ring. The large moment of inertia of the ring-shaped fluid facilitates the access to large angular momenta, corresponding to giant vortex states. The trapping potential is then adiabatically transformed into a harmonic confinement, which brings the interacting atomic gas in the desired quantum-Hall regime. We provide numerical evidence that for a broad range of initial angular frequencies, the giant-vortex state is adiabatically connected to the bosonic ν = 1/2 Laughlin state.

Self-diffusion and conductivity in an ultracold strongly coupled plasma: Calculation by the method of molecular dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zelener, B. B.; Zelener, B. V.; Manykin, E. A.; Bronin, S. Ya; Bobrov, A. A.; Khikhlukha, D. R.

2018-01-01

We present results of calculations by the method of molecular dynamics of self-diffusion and conductivity of electron and ion components of ultracold plasma in a comparison with available theoretical and experimental data. For the ion self-diffusion coefficient, good agreement was obtained with experiments on ultracold plasma. The results of the calculation of self-diffusion also agree well with other calculations performed for the same values of the coupling parameter, but at high temperatures. The difference in the results of the conductivity calculations on the basis of the current autocorrelation function and on the basis of the diffusion coefficient is discussed.

Studies on Temperature Dependence of Rubidium Lamp for Atomic Frequency Standard

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ghosal, Bikash; Banik, Alak; Vats, Vaibhav

2011-10-20

Rb lamp is a very critical component of the Rb atomic clock's Physics Package. The Rb lamp's performance is very sensitive to temperature and its stability. In this paper we discuss the behaviors of Rb Lamp with temperature. The Rb lamp exciter power and temperature of Rb bulb are very important parameters in controlling the performance of the Rb Lamp. It is observed that at temperatures beyond 110 deg. C, the lamp mode changes from the ring to red mode resulting in abnormal broadening of emission lines and self reversal. The results of our studies on spectral analysis of Rbmore » lamp under various operating conditions are reported in the paper.« less

Emission characteristics of plasma based on xenon-rubidium bromide mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heneral, A. A.; Avtaeva, S. V.

2017-10-01

Luminescence spectra of a longitudinal pulse-periodic discharge in xenon mixture with rubidium bromide vapors (Xe-RbBr) are studied experimentally at low pressures. The conditions leading to the appearance of intense bands of ultraviolet radiation of exciplex XeBr* molecules in the spectral interval between 200 and 400 nm are found. The highest yield of UV radiation of XeBr* molecules is achieved when the temperature of discharge-tube walls is equal to 750°C. A maximum power of UV radiation from the entire plasma volume as high as 4.8 W is obtained.

A multi-channel tunable source for atomic sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bigelow, Matthew S.; Roberts, Tony D.; McNeil, Shirley A.; Hawthorne, Todd; Battle, Phil

2015-09-01

We have designed and completed initial testing on a laser source suitable for atomic interferometry from compact, robust, integrated components. Our design is enabled by capitalizing on robust, well-commercialized, low-noise telecom components with high reliability and declining costs which will help to drive the widespread deployment of this system. The key innovation is the combination of current telecom-based fiber laser and modulator technology with periodicallypoled waveguide technology to produce tunable laser light at rubidium D1 and D2 wavelengths (and expandable to other alkalis) using second harmonic generation (SHG). Unlike direct-diode sources, this source is immune to feedback at the Rb line eliminating the need for bulky high-power isolators in the system. In addition, the source has GHz-level frequency agility and in our experiments was found to only be limited by the agility of our RF generator. As a proof-of principle, the source was scanned through the Doppler-broadened Rb D2 absorption line. With this technology, multiple channels can be independently tuned to produce the fields needed for addressing atomic states in atom interferometers and clocks. Thus, this technology could be useful in the development cold-atom inertial sensors and gyroscopes.

SISGR: Atom chip microscopy: A novel probe for strongly correlated materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lev, Benjamin L.

Microscopy techniques co-opted from nonlinear optics and high energy physics have complemented solid-state probes in elucidating the order manifest in condensed matter materials. Up until now, however, no attempts have been made to use modern techniques of ultracold atomic physics to directly explore properties of strongly correlated or topologically protected materials. Our current program is focused on introducing a novel magnetic field microscopy technique into the toolbox of imaging probes. Our prior DOE ESPM program funded the development of a novel instrument using a dilute gas Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) as a scanning probe capable of measuring tiny magnetic (and electric)more » DC and AC fields above materials. We successfully built the world's first “scanning cryogenic atom chip microscope” [1], and we now are in the process of characterizing its performance before using the instrument to take the first wide-area images of transport flow within unconventional superconductors, pnictides and oxide interfaces (LAO/STO), topological insulators, and colossal magnetoresistive manganites. We will do so at temperatures outside the capability of scanning SQUIDs, with ~10x better resolution and without 1/f-noise. A notable goal will be to measure the surface-to-bulk conductivity ratio in topological insulators in a relatively model-independent fashion [2]. We have completed the construction of this magnetic microscope, shown in Figure 1. The instrument uses atom chips—substrates supporting micron-sized current-carrying wires that create magnetic microtraps near surfaces for ultracold thermal gases and BECs—to enable single-shot and raster-scanned large-field-of-view detection of magnetic fields. The fields emanating from electronic transport may be detected at the 10-7 flux quantum (Φ0) level and below (see Fig. 2); that is, few to sub-micron resolution of sub-nanotesla fields over single-shot, millimeter-long detection lengths. By harnessing the

An experimental toolbox for the generation of cold and ultracold polar molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeppenfeld, Martin; Gantner, Thomas; Glöckner, Rosa; Ibrügger, Martin; Koller, Manuel; Prehn, Alexander; Wu, Xing; Chervenkov, Sotir; Rempe, Gerhard

2017-01-01

Cold and ultracold molecules enable fascinating applications in quantum science. We present our toolbox of techniques to generate the required molecule ensembles, including buffergas cooling, centrifuge deceleration and optoelectrical Sisyphus cooling. We obtain excellent control over both the motional and internal molecular degrees of freedom, allowing us to aim at various applications.

Superradiance in a Large and Dilute Cloud of Cold Atoms in the Linear-Optics Regime.

PubMed

Araújo, Michelle O; Krešić, Ivor; Kaiser, Robin; Guerin, William

2016-08-12

Superradiance has been extensively studied in the 1970s and 1980s in the regime of superfluorescence, where a large number of atoms are initially excited. Cooperative scattering in the linear-optics regime, or "single-photon superradiance," has been investigated much more recently, and superradiant decay has also been predicted, even for a spherical sample of large extent and low density, where the distance between atoms is much larger than the wavelength. Here, we demonstrate this effect experimentally by directly measuring the decay rate of the off-axis fluorescence of a large and dilute cloud of cold rubidium atoms after the sudden switch off of a low-intensity laser driving the atomic transition. We show that, at large detuning, the decay rate increases with the on-resonance optical depth. In contrast to forward scattering, the superradiant decay of off-axis fluorescence is suppressed near resonance due to attenuation and multiple-scattering effects.

Quantum test of the equivalence principle for atoms in coherent superposition of internal energy states

PubMed Central

Rosi, G.; D'Amico, G.; Cacciapuoti, L.; Sorrentino, F.; Prevedelli, M.; Zych, M.; Brukner, Č.; Tino, G. M.

2017-01-01

The Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) has a central role in the understanding of gravity and space–time. In its weak form, or weak equivalence principle (WEP), it directly implies equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass. Verifying this principle in a regime where the relevant properties of the test body must be described by quantum theory has profound implications. Here we report on a novel WEP test for atoms: a Bragg atom interferometer in a gravity gradiometer configuration compares the free fall of rubidium atoms prepared in two hyperfine states and in their coherent superposition. The use of the superposition state allows testing genuine quantum aspects of EEP with no classical analogue, which have remained completely unexplored so far. In addition, we measure the Eötvös ratio of atoms in two hyperfine levels with relative uncertainty in the low 10−9, improving previous results by almost two orders of magnitude. PMID:28569742

Collective atomic scattering and motional effects in a dense coherent medium

PubMed Central

Bromley, S. L.; Zhu, B.; Bishof, M.; Zhang, X.; Bothwell, T.; Schachenmayer, J.; Nicholson, T. L.; Kaiser, R.; Yelin, S. F.; Lukin, M. D.; Rey, A. M.; Ye, J.

2016-01-01

We investigate collective emission from coherently driven ultracold 88Sr atoms. We perform two sets of experiments using a strong and weak transition that are insensitive and sensitive, respectively, to atomic motion at 1 μK. We observe highly directional forward emission with a peak intensity that is enhanced, for the strong transition, by >103 compared with that in the transverse direction. This is accompanied by substantial broadening of spectral lines. For the weak transition, the forward enhancement is substantially reduced due to motion. Meanwhile, a density-dependent frequency shift of the weak transition (∼10% of the natural linewidth) is observed. In contrast, this shift is suppressed to <1% of the natural linewidth for the strong transition. Along the transverse direction, we observe strong polarization dependences of the fluorescence intensity and line broadening for both transitions. The measurements are reproduced with a theoretical model treating the atoms as coherent, interacting radiating dipoles. PMID:26984643

Stokes-Einstein relation of the liquid metal rubidium and its relationship to changes in the microscopic dynamics with increasing temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demmel, F.; Tani, A.

2018-06-01

For liquid rubidium the Stokes-Einstein (SE) relation is well fulfilled near the melting point with an effective hydrodynamic diameter, which agrees well with a value from structural investigations. A wealth of thermodynamic and microscopic data exists for a wide range of temperatures for liquid rubidium and hence it represents a good test bed to challenge the SE relation with rising temperature from an experimental point of view. We performed classical molecular dynamics simulations to complement the existing experimental data using a pseudopotential, which describes perfectly the structure and dynamics of liquid rubidium. The derived SE relation from combining experimental shear viscosity data with simulated diffusion coefficients reveals a weak violation at about 1.3 Tmelting≈400 K. The microscopic relaxation dynamics on nearest neighbor distances from neutron spectroscopy demonstrate distinct changes in the amplitude with rising temperature. The derived average relaxation time for density fluctuations on this length scale shows a non-Arrhenius behavior, with a slope change around 1.5 Tmelting≈450 K. Combining the simulated macroscopic self-diffusion coefficient with that microscopic average relaxation time, a distinct violation of the SE relation in the same temperature range can be demonstrated. One can conclude that the changes in the collective dynamics, a mirror of the correlated movements of the particles, are at the origin for the violation of the SE relation. The changes in the dynamics can be understood as a transition from a more viscous liquid metal to a more fluid-like liquid above the crossover temperature range of 1.3-1.5 Tmelting. The decay of the amplitude of density fluctuations in liquid aluminium, lead, and rubidium demonstrates a remarkable agreement and points to a universal thermal crossover in the dynamics of liquid metals.

Novel Rubidium Poly-Nitrogen Energetic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huff, Ashley; Steele, Brad; Oleynik, Ivan

High-nitrogen content compounds are being actively explored with the goal of discovering new high-energy density materials with performance surpassing the conventional energetic materials such as HMX or RDX. Although pure polynitrogen compounds such as cg-N are predicted to deliver 10-fold increase in detonation pressure and detonation velocity of 30 km/s, their synthesis and recovery at ambient conditions is problematic. Doping polynitrogens with other elements is a viable route to promote metastability while reducing synthesis pressure. In this work, rubidium poly-nitrides are being investigated as candidates for high energy density materials. Using first principles evolutionary structure search methods performed at varying stoichiometries and several pressures ranging from 0 to 100 GPa, several new polynitrogen compounds have been discovered. The phase diagrams containing thermodynamically stable and lowest metastable phases are calculated and the dynamical stability of the promising materials is investigated at various pressures. Raman spectra and XRD patterns are also calculated to provide experimentally relevant information useful for identification of these compounds during their synthesis.

Atom-dimer scattering in a heteronuclear mixture with a finite intraspecies scattering length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Chao; Zhang, Peng

2018-04-01

We study the three-body problem of two ultracold identical bosonic atoms (denoted by B ) and one extra atom (denoted by X ), where the scattering length aB X between each bosonic atom and atom X is resonantly large and positive. We calculate the scattering length aad between one bosonic atom and the shallow dimer formed by the other bosonic atom and atom X , and investigate the effect induced by the interaction between the two bosonic atoms. We find that even if this interaction is weak (i.e., the corresponding scattering length aB B is of the same order of the van der Waals length rvdW or even smaller), it can still induce a significant effect for the atom-dimer scattering length aad. Explicitly, an atom-dimer scattering resonance can always occur when the value of aB B varies in the region with | aB B|≲ rvdW . As a result, both the sign and the absolute value of aad, as well as the behavior of the aad-aB X function, depends sensitively on the exact value of aB B. Our results show that, for a good quantitative theory, the intraspecies interaction is required to be taken into account for this heteronuclear system, even if this interaction is weak.

Synthetic dimensions for cold atoms from shaking a harmonic trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, Hannah M.; Ozawa, Tomoki; Goldman, Nathan

2017-02-01

We introduce a simple scheme to implement synthetic dimensions in ultracold atomic gases, which only requires two basic and ubiquitous ingredients: the harmonic trap, which confines the atoms, combined with a periodic shaking. In our approach, standard harmonic oscillator eigenstates are reinterpreted as lattice sites along a synthetic dimension, while the coupling between these lattice sites is controlled by the applied time modulation. The phase of this modulation enters as a complex hopping phase, leading straightforwardly to an artificial magnetic field upon adding a second dimension. We show that this artificial gauge field has important consequences, such as the counterintuitive reduction of average energy under resonant driving, or the realization of quantum Hall physics. Our approach offers significant advantages over previous implementations of synthetic dimensions, providing an intriguing route towards higher-dimensional topological physics and strongly-correlated states.

Second-scale nuclear spin coherence time of ultracold 23Na40K molecules.

PubMed

Park, Jee Woo; Yan, Zoe Z; Loh, Huanqian; Will, Sebastian A; Zwierlein, Martin W

2017-07-28

Coherence, the stability of the relative phase between quantum states, is central to quantum mechanics and its applications. For ultracold dipolar molecules at sub-microkelvin temperatures, internal states with robust coherence are predicted to offer rich prospects for quantum many-body physics and quantum information processing. We report the observation of stable coherence between nuclear spin states of ultracold fermionic sodium-potassium (NaK) molecules in the singlet rovibrational ground state. Ramsey spectroscopy reveals coherence times on the scale of 1 second; this enables high-resolution spectroscopy of the molecular gas. Collisional shifts are shown to be absent down to the 100-millihertz level. This work opens the door to the use of molecules as a versatile quantum memory and for precision measurements on dipolar quantum matter. Copyright © 2017 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Quantum levitation of nanoparticles seen with ultracold neutrons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nesvizhevsky, V. V., E-mail: nesvizhevsky@ill.eu; Voronin, A. Yu.; Lambrecht, A.

2013-09-15

Analyzing new experiments with ultracold neutrons (UCNs) we show that physical adsorption of nanoparticles/nanodroplets, levitating in high-excited states in a deep and broad potential well formed by van der Waals/Casimir-Polder (vdW/CP) forces results in new effects on a cross-road of the fields of fundamental interactions, neutron, surface and nanoparticle physics. Accounting for the interaction of UCNs with nanoparticles explains a recently discovered intriguing so-called 'small heating' of UCNs in traps. It might be relevant to the striking conflict of the neutron lifetime experiments with smallest reported uncertainties by adding false effects there.

How can we probe the atom mass currents induced by synthetic gauge fields?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paramekanti, Arun; Killi, Matthew; Trotzky, Stefan

2013-05-01

Ultracold atomic fermions and bosons in an optical lattice can have quantum ground states which support equilibrium currents in the presence of synthetic magnetic fields or spin orbit coupling. As a tool to uncover these mass currents, we propose using an anisotropic quantum quench of the optical lattice which dynamically converts the current patterns into measurable density patterns. Using analytical calculations and numerical simulations, we show that this scheme can probe diverse equilibrium bulk current patterns in Bose superfluids and Fermi fluids induced by synthetic magnetic fields, as well as detect the chiral edge currents in topological states of atomic matter such as quantum Hall and quantum spin Hall insulators. This work is supported by NSERC of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.

Dicke superradiance as nondestructive probe for the state of atoms in optical lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

ten Brinke, Nicolai; Schützhold, Ralf

2016-04-01

We present a proposal for a probing scheme utilizing Dicke superradiance to obtain information about ultracold atoms in optical lattices. A probe photon is absorbed collectively by an ensemble of lattice atoms generating a Dicke state. The lattice dynamics (e.g., tunneling) affects the coherence properties of that Dicke state and thus alters the superradiant emission characteristics - which in turn provides insight into the lattice (dynamics). Comparing the Bose-Hubbard and the Fermi-Hubbard model, we find similar superradiance in the strongly interacting Mott insulator regime, but crucial differences in the weakly interacting (superfluid or metallic) phase. Furthermore, we study the possibility to detect whether a quantum phase transition between the two regimes can be considered adiabatic or a quantum quench.

Mode-coupling of interaction quenched ultracold bosons in periodically driven lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mistakidis, Simeon; Schmelcher, Peter

2016-05-01

The out-of-equilibrium dynamics of interaction quenched finite ultracold bosonic ensembles in periodically driven one-dimensional optical lattices is investigated. As a first attempt a brief analysis of the dynamics caused exclusively by the periodically driven lattice is presented and the induced low-lying modes are introduced. It is shown that the periodic driving enforces the bosons in the outer wells to exhibit out-of-phase dipole-like modes, while in the central well the cloud experiences a local-breathing mode. The dynamical behavior of the system is investigated with respect to the driving frequency, revealing a resonant-like behavior of the intra-well dynamics. Subsequently, we drive the system to a highly non-equilibrium state by performing an interaction quench upon the periodically driven lattice. This protocol gives rise to admixtures of excitations in the outer wells, an enhanced breathing in the center and an amplification of the tunneling dynamics. As a result (of the quench) the system experiences multiple resonances between the inter- and intra-well dynamics at different quench amplitudes. Finally, our study reveals that the position of the resonances can be adjusted e.g. via the driving frequency or the atom number manifesting their many-body nature. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) in the framework of the SFB 925 ``Light induced dynamics and control of correlated quantum systems''.

Kinetic Energy Oscillations during Disorder Induced Heating in an Ultracold Plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langin, Thomas; McQuillen, Patrick; Strickler, Trevor; Pohl, Thomas; Killian, Thomas

2015-05-01

Ultracold neutral plasmas of strontium are generated by photoionizing laser-cooled atoms at temperature TMOT ~ 10 mK and density n ~1016 m-3 in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). After photoionization, the ions heat to ~ 1 K by a mechanism known as Disorder Induced Heating (DIH). During DIH kinetic energy oscillations (KEO) occur at a frequency ~ 2ωpi , where ωpi is the plasma frequency, indicating coupling to collective modes of the plasma. Electron screening also comes into play by changing the interaction from a Coulomb to a Yukawa interaction. Although DIH has been previously studied, improved measurements combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations allow us to probe new aspects. We demonstrate a measurement of the damping of the KEO due to electron screening which agrees with the MD simulations. We show that the MD simulations can be used to fit experimental DIH curves for plasma density n, resulting in very accurate density measurements. Finally, we discuss how ion temperature measurements are affected by the non-thermal distribution of the ions during the early stages of DIH. This work was supported by the United States National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy (PHY-0714603), the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550- 12-1-0267), the Shell Foundation, and the Department of Defense (NDSEG Fellowship)

Using optical masks to create and image sub-optical wavelength atomic structures in a MOT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turlapov, Andrey; Tonyushkin, Aleksey; Sleator, Tycho

2002-05-01

We have used an ``optical mask'' for Rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap to create and image atomic density gratings with periodicities as small as 1/8th of an optical wavelength ( ˜ 100 nm). The mask consists of a pulse of an optical standing wave (wavelength λ) resonant to an open atomic transition. The interaction pumps all atoms except those near the nodes into another hyperfine ground state, leaving a grating of ``spikes'' in atomic density in the initial ground state. The nodes of the standing wave serve as slits of the mask. By applying two such masks separated by time T, we have created atomic gratings of period λ/(2n) (or smaller) at times (n+1)/n T after the first mask pulse. For T on the order of the Talbot time (or inverse recoil frequency), quantum effects are important for the dynamics of the atomic center of mass. Under appropriate conditions, these quantum effects led to a reduction of the period of the resulting density gratings (Talbot-Lau effect). The resulting density gratings of period λ/2n (for n=1 to 4) were imaged in real time using an additional optical mask.

Gravity sensing using Very Long Baseline Atom Interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlippert, D.; Wodey, E.; Meiners, C.; Tell, D.; Schubert, C.; Ertmer, W.; Rasel, E. M.

2017-12-01

Very Long Baseline Atom Interferometry (VLBAI) has applications in high-accuracy absolute gravimetry, gravity-gradiometry, and for tests of fundamental physics. Thanks to the quadratic scaling of the phase shift with increasing free evolution time, extending the baseline of atomic gravimeters from tens of centimeters to meters puts resolutions of 10-13g and beyond in reach.We present the design and progress of key elements of the VLBAI-test stand: a dual-species source of Rb and Yb, a high-performance two-layer magnetic shield, and an active vibration isolation system allowing for unprecedented stability of the mirror acting as an inertial reference. We envisage a vibration-limited short-term sensitivity to gravitational acceleration of 1x10-8 m/s-2Hz-1/2 and up to a factor of 25 improvement when including additional correlation with a broadband seismometer. Here, the supreme long-term stability of atomic gravity sensors opens the route towards competition with superconducting gravimeters. The operation of VLBAI as a differential dual-species gravimeter using ultracold mixtures of Yb and Rb atoms enables quantum tests of the universality of free fall (UFF) at an unprecedented level of <10-13, potentially surpassing the best experiments to date.

Gravity sensing using Very Long Baseline Atom Interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlippert, Dennis; Wodey, Étienne; Meiners, Christian; Tell, Dorothee; Schubert, Christian; Ertmer, Wolfgang; Rasel, Ernst M.

2017-04-01

Very Long Baseline Atom Interferometry (VLBAI) has applications in high-accuracy absolute gravimetry, gravity-gradiometry, and for tests of fundamental physics. Thanks to the quadratic scaling of the phase shift with increasing free evolution time, extending the baseline of atomic gravimeters from tens of centimeters to meters puts resolutions of 10-13 g and beyond in reach. We present the design and progress of key elements of the VLBAI-test stand: a dual-species source of Rb and Yb, a high-performance two-layer magnetic shield, and an active vibration isolation system allowing for unprecedented stability of the mirror acting as an inertial reference. We envisage a vibration-limited short-term sensitivity to gravitational acceleration of 1 .10-8 m/s2 / Hz1/2 and up to a factor of 25 improvement when including additional correlation with a broadband seismometer. Here, the supreme long-term stability of atomic gravity sensors opens the route towards competition with superconducting gravimeters. The operation of VLBAI as a differential dual-species gravimeter using ultracold mixtures of Yb and Rb atoms enables quantum tests of the universality of free fall (UFF) at an unprecedented level of <=10-13 , potentially surpassing the best experiments to date.

Measuring the Temperature of the Ithaca College MOT Cloud using a CMOS Camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smucker, Jonathan; Thompson, Bruce

2015-03-01

We present our work on measuring the temperature of Rubidium atoms cooled using a magneto-optical trap (MOT). The MOT uses laser trapping methods and Doppler cooling to trap and cool Rubidium atoms to form a cloud that is visible to a CMOS Camera. The Rubidium atoms are cooled further using optical molasses cooling after they are released from the trap (by removing the magnetic field). In order to measure the temperature of the MOT we take pictures of the cloud using a CMOS camera as it expands and calculate the temperature based on the free expansion of the cloud. Results from the experiment will be presented along with a summary of the method used.

Pattern Formations for Optical Switching Using Cold Atoms as a Nonlinear Medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmittberger, Bonnie; Greenberg, Joel; Gauthier, Daniel

2011-05-01

The study of spatio-temporal pattern formation in nonlinear optical systems has both led to an increased understanding of nonlinear dynamics as well as given rise to sensitive new methods for all-optical switching. Whereas the majority of past experiments utilized warm atomic vapors as nonlinear media, we report the first observation of an optical instability leading to pattern formation in a cloud of cold Rubidium atoms. When we shine a pair of counterpropagating pump laser beams along the pencil-shaped cloud's long axis, new beams of light are generated along cones centered on the trap. This generated light produces petal-like patterns in the plane orthogonal to the pump beams that can be used for optical switching. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the NSF through Grant #PHY-0855399 and the DARPA Slow Light Program.

Scanning quantum gas atom chip microscopy of strongly correlated and topologically nontrivial materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lev, Benjamin

The SQCRAMscope, Scanning Quantum Cryogenic Atom Microscope, is a novel scanning probe microscope we developed during this DOE fund period. It is now capable of imaging transport in cryogenically cooled solid-state samples, as we have recently demonstrated with iron-based pnictide superconductors. As such, it opens a new frontier in the quantum-based metrology of materials and is the first example of the direct marriage of ultracold AMO physics with condensed matter physics. We predict the SQCRAMscope will become an important element in the toolbox for exploring strongly correlated and topologically nontrivial materials.

Loading ultracold gases in topological Floquet bands: the fate of current and center-of-mass responses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dauphin, Alexandre; Tran, Duc-Thanh; Lewenstein, Maciej; Goldman, Nathan

2017-06-01

Topological band structures can be designed by subjecting lattice systems to time-periodic modulations, as was proposed for irradiated graphene, and recently demonstrated in two-dimensional (2D) ultracold gases and photonic crystals. However, changing the topological nature of Floquet Bloch bands from trivial to non-trivial, by progressively launching the time-modulation, is necessarily accompanied with gap-closing processes: this has important consequences for the loading of particles into a target Floquet band with non-trivial topology, and hence, on the subsequent measurements. In this work, we analyse how such loading sequences can be optimized in view of probing the topology of 2D Floquet bands through transport measurements. In particular, we demonstrate the robustness of center-of-mass responses, as compared to current responses, which present important irregularities due to an interplay between the micro-motion of the drive and inter-band interference effects. The results presented in this work illustrate how probing the center-of-mass displacement of atomic clouds offers a reliable method to detect the topology of Floquet bands, after realistic loading sequences.

Frequency-Comb Based Double-Quantum Two-Dimensional Spectrum Identifies Collective Hyperfine Resonances in Atomic Vapor Induced by Dipole-Dipole Interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lomsadze, Bachana; Cundiff, Steven T.

2018-06-01

Frequency-comb based multidimensional coherent spectroscopy is a novel optical method that enables high-resolution measurement in a short acquisition time. The method's resolution makes multidimensional coherent spectroscopy relevant for atomic systems that have narrow resonances. We use double-quantum multidimensional coherent spectroscopy to reveal collective hyperfine resonances in rubidium vapor at 100 °C induced by dipole-dipole interactions. We observe tilted and elongated line shapes in the double-quantum 2D spectra, which have never been reported for Doppler-broadened systems. The elongated line shapes suggest that the signal is predominately from the interacting atoms that have a near zero relative velocity.

Adiabatic passage of radio-frequency-assisted Förster resonances in Rydberg atoms for two-qubit gates and the generation of Bell states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beterov, I. I.; Hamzina, G. N.; Yakshina, E. A.; Tretyakov, D. B.; Entin, V. M.; Ryabtsev, I. I.

2018-03-01

High-fidelity entangled Bell states are of great interest in quantum physics. Entanglement of ultracold neutral atoms in two spatially separated optical dipole traps is promising for implementation of quantum computing and quantum simulation and for investigation of Bell states of material objects. We propose a method to entangle two atoms via long-range Rydberg-Rydberg interaction. Alternative to previous approaches, based on Rydberg blockade, we consider radio-frequency-assisted Stark-tuned Förster resonances in Rb Rydberg atoms. To reduce the sensitivity of the fidelity of Bell states to the fluctuations of interatomic distance, we propose to use the double adiabatic passage across the radio-frequency-assisted Stark-tuned Förster resonances, which results in a deterministic phase shift of the collective two-atom state.

Ultralow-light-level all-optical transistor in rubidium vapor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jing, Jietai, E-mail: jtjing@phy.ecnu.edu.cn; Zhou, Zhifan; Liu, Cunjin

2014-04-14

An all-optical transistor (AOT) is a device in which one light beam can efficiently manipulate another. It is the foundational component of an all-optical communication network. An AOT that can operate at ultralow light levels is especially attractive for its potential application in the quantum information field. Here, we demonstrate an AOT driven by a weak light beam with an energy density of 2.5 × 10{sup −5} photons/(λ{sup 2}/2π) (corresponding to 6  yJ/(λ{sup 2}/2π) and about 800 total photons) using the double-Λ four-wave mixing process in hot rubidium vapor. This makes it a promising candidate for ultralow-light-level optical communication and quantum information science.

Synthetic Unruh effect in cold atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez-Laguna, Javier; Tarruell, Leticia; Lewenstein, Maciej; Celi, Alessio

2017-01-01

We propose to simulate a Dirac field near an event horizon using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. Such a quantum simulator allows for the observation of the celebrated Unruh effect. Our proposal involves three stages: (1) preparation of the ground state of a massless two-dimensional Dirac field in Minkowski space-time; (2) quench of the optical lattice setup to simulate how an accelerated observer would view that state; (3) measurement of the local quantum fluctuation spectra by one-particle excitation spectroscopy in order to simulate a De Witt detector. According to Unruh's prediction, fluctuations measured in such a way must be thermal. Moreover, following Takagi's inversion theorem, they will obey the Bose-Einstein distribution, which will smoothly transform into the Fermi-Dirac as one of the dimensions of the lattice is reduced.

Entangling two transportable neutral atoms via local spin exchange.

PubMed

Kaufman, A M; Lester, B J; Foss-Feig, M; Wall, M L; Rey, A M; Regal, C A

2015-11-12

To advance quantum information science, physical systems are sought that meet the stringent requirements for creating and preserving quantum entanglement. In atomic physics, robust two-qubit entanglement is typically achieved by strong, long-range interactions in the form of either Coulomb interactions between ions or dipolar interactions between Rydberg atoms. Although such interactions allow fast quantum gates, the interacting atoms must overcome the associated coupling to the environment and cross-talk among qubits. Local interactions, such as those requiring substantial wavefunction overlap, can alleviate these detrimental effects; however, such interactions present a new challenge: to distribute entanglement, qubits must be transported, merged for interaction, and then isolated for storage and subsequent operations. Here we show how, using a mobile optical tweezer, it is possible to prepare and locally entangle two ultracold neutral atoms, and then separate them while preserving their entanglement. Ground-state neutral atom experiments have measured dynamics consistent with spin entanglement, and have detected entanglement with macroscopic observables; we are now able to demonstrate position-resolved two-particle coherence via application of a local gradient and parity measurements. This new entanglement-verification protocol could be applied to arbitrary spin-entangled states of spatially separated atoms. The local entangling operation is achieved via spin-exchange interactions, and quantum tunnelling is used to combine and separate atoms. These techniques provide a framework for dynamically entangling remote qubits via local operations within a large-scale quantum register.

Program of Fundamental-Interaction Research for the Ultracold-Neutron Source at the the WWR-M Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serebrov, A. P.

2018-03-01

The use of ultracold neutrons opens unique possibilities for studying fundamental interactions in particles physics. Searches for the neutron electric dipole moment are aimed at testing models of CP violation. A precise measurement of the neutron lifetime is of paramount importance for cosmology and astrophysics. Considerable advances in these realms can be made with the aid of a new ultracold-neutron (UCN) supersource presently under construction at Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute. With this source, it would be possible to obtain an UCN density approximately 100 times as high as that at currently the best UCN source at the high-flux reactor of the Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL, Grenoble, France). To date, the design and basic elements of the source have been prepared, tests of a full-scale source model have been performed, and the research program has been developed. It is planned to improve accuracy in measuring the neutron electric dipole moment by one order of magnitude to a level of 10-27 to 10-28 e cm. This is of crucial importance for particle physics. The accuracy in measuring the neutron lifetime can also be improved by one order of magnitude. Finally, experiments that would seek neutron-antineutron oscillations by employing ultracold neutrons will become possible upon reaching an UCN density of 103 to 104 cm-3. The current status of the source and the proposed research program are discussed.

Frequency stability of maser oscillators operated with cavity Q. [hydrogen and rubidium masers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tetu, M.; Tremblay, P.; Lesage, P.; Petit, P.; Audoin, C.

1982-01-01

The short term frequency stability of masers equipped with an external feedback loop to increase the cavity quality factor was studied. The frequency stability of a hydrogen and a rubidium maser were measured and compared with theoretical evaluation. It is shown that the frequency stability passes through an optimum when the cavity Q is varied. Long term fluctuations are discussed and the optimum mid term frequency stability achievably by small size active and passive H-masers is considered.

I.I. Rabi in Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics Prize Talk: Strongly Interacting Fermi Gases of Atoms and Molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zwierlein, Martin

2017-04-01

Strongly interacting fermions govern physics at all length scales, from nuclear matter to modern electronic materials and neutron stars. The interplay of the Pauli principle with strong interactions can give rise to exotic properties that we do not understand even at a qualitative level. In recent years, ultracold Fermi gases of atoms have emerged as a new type of strongly interacting fermionic matter that can be created and studied in the laboratory with exquisite control. Feshbach resonances allow for unitarity limited interactions, leading to scale invariance, universal thermodynamics and a superfluid phase transition already at 17 Trapped in optical lattices, fermionic atoms realize the Fermi-Hubbard model, believed to capture the essence of cuprate high-temperature superconductors. Here, a microscope allows for single-atom, single-site resolved detection of density and spin correlations, revealing the Pauli hole as well as anti-ferromagnetic and doublon-hole correlations. Novel states of matter are predicted for fermions interacting via long-range dipolar interactions. As an intriguing candidate we created stable fermionic molecules of NaK at ultralow temperatures featuring large dipole moments and second-long spin coherence times. In some of the above examples the experiment outperformed the most advanced computer simulations of many-fermion systems, giving hope for a new level of understanding of strongly interacting fermions.

Spatially distributed multipartite entanglement enables EPR steering of atomic clouds.

PubMed

Kunkel, Philipp; Prüfer, Maximilian; Strobel, Helmut; Linnemann, Daniel; Frölian, Anika; Gasenzer, Thomas; Gärttner, Martin; Oberthaler, Markus K

2018-04-27

A key resource for distributed quantum-enhanced protocols is entanglement between spatially separated modes. However, the robust generation and detection of entanglement between spatially separated regions of an ultracold atomic system remain a challenge. We used spin mixing in a tightly confined Bose-Einstein condensate to generate an entangled state of indistinguishable particles in a single spatial mode. We show experimentally that this entanglement can be spatially distributed by self-similar expansion of the atomic cloud. We used spatially resolved spin read-out to reveal a particularly strong form of quantum correlations known as Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) steering between distinct parts of the expanded cloud. Based on the strength of EPR steering, we constructed a witness, which confirmed genuine 5-partite entanglement. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Observation of electromagnetically induced Talbot effect in an atomic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhaoyang; Liu, Xing; Zhang, Dan; Sheng, Jiteng; Zhang, Yiqi; Zhang, Yanpeng; Xiao, Min

2018-01-01

The electromagnetically induced Talbot effect (EITE) resulting from the repeated self-reconstruction of a spatially intensity-modulated probe field is experimentally demonstrated in a three-level atomic configuration. The probe beam is launched into an optically induced lattice (established by the interference of two coupling fields) inside a rubidium vapor cell and is diffracted by the electromagnetically induced grating that was formed. The diffraction pattern repeats itself at the planes of integer multiple Talbot lengths. In addition, a fractional EITE is also investigated. The experimental observations agree well with the theoretical predictions. This investigation may potentially pave the way for studying the nonlinear and quantum dynamical features that have been predicted for established periodic optical systems.

Focus on strongly correlated quantum fluids: from ultracold quantum gases to QCD plasmas Focus on strongly correlated quantum fluids: from ultracold quantum gases to QCD plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adams, Allan; Carr, Lincoln D.; Schaefer, Thomas; Steinberg, Peter; Thomas, John E.

2013-04-01

interdisciplinary appeal and include new studies of high temperature superfluidity, viscosity, spin-transport, spin-imbalanced mixtures, and three-component gases, this last having a close parallel to color superconductivity. Another system important for the field of strongly-interacting quantum fluids was revealed by analysis of data from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Despite naive expectations based on asymptotic freedom that the deconfinement of quarks and gluons at high temperatures would lead to a weakly-interacting quark gluon plasma (QGP), the system appeared to be quite strongly coupled. Subsequent estimates of the viscosity-to-entropy ratio suggest that the system is tantalizingly close to the postulated bound from AdS/CFT calculations. The field is quite dynamic at the moment; new measurements are expected from upgraded detectors at RHIC, and an entirely new energy regime is being opened up by heavy ion collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. On the theoretical side, much work remains to be done to extract the precise values of the transport coefficients, and to characterize the nature of quasi-particle excitations in the plasma. Finally, holographic dualities such as anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory (AdS/CFT) have opened a new theoretical window on strongly correlated fluids. Holography relates strongly-interacting quantum many-body systems to weakly-coupled semi-classical gravitational systems, replacing quasiparticles with geometry and translating various difficult questions about quantum fluids into simple and calculable geometric exercises. Already, some of the earliest lessons of holography, such as the conjectural bound on the viscosity-to-entropy ratio, have had a considerable impact on the theoretical and experimental study of strongly correlated fluids, from RHIC to ultracold atoms. More recently, the study of holographic superconductors, non-Fermi liquids and unitary quantum gases has touched

Pulse length of ultracold electron bunches extracted from a laser cooled gas

PubMed Central

Franssen, J. G. H.; Frankort, T. L. I.; Vredenbregt, E. J. D.; Luiten, O. J.

2017-01-01

We present measurements of the pulse length of ultracold electron bunches generated by near-threshold two-photon photoionization of a laser-cooled gas. The pulse length has been measured using a resonant 3 GHz deflecting cavity in TM110 mode. We have measured the pulse length in three ionization regimes. The first is direct two-photon photoionization using only a 480 nm femtosecond laser pulse, which results in short (∼15 ps) but hot (∼104 K) electron bunches. The second regime is just-above-threshold femtosecond photoionization employing the combination of a continuous-wave 780 nm excitation laser and a tunable 480 nm femtosecond ionization laser which results in both ultracold (∼10 K) and ultrafast (∼25 ps) electron bunches. These pulses typically contain ∼103 electrons and have a root-mean-square normalized transverse beam emittance of 1.5 ± 0.1 nm rad. The measured pulse lengths are limited by the energy spread associated with the longitudinal size of the ionization volume, as expected. The third regime is just-below-threshold ionization which produces Rydberg states which slowly ionize on microsecond time scales. PMID:28396879

Photodissociation of quantum state-selected diatomic molecules yields new insight into ultracold chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDonald, Mickey; McGuyer, Bart H.; Lee, Chih-Hsi; Apfelbeck, Florian; Zelevinsky, Tanya

2016-05-01

When a molecule is subjected to a sufficiently energetic photon it can break apart into fragments through a process called ``photodissociation''. For over 70 years this simple chemical reaction has served as a vital experimental tool for acquiring information about molecular structure, since the character of the photodissociative transition can be inferred by measuring the 3D photofragment angular distribution (PAD). While theoretical understanding of this process has gradually evolved from classical considerations to a fully quantum approach, experiments to date have not yet revealed the full quantum nature of this process. In my talk I will describe recent experiments involving the photodissociation of ultracold, optical lattice-trapped, and fully quantum state-resolved 88Sr2 molecules. Optical absorption images of the PADs produced in these experiments reveal features which are inherently quantum mechanical in nature, such as matter-wave interference between output channels, and are sensitive to the quantum statistics of the molecular wavefunctions. The results of these experiments cannot be predicted using quasiclassical methods. Instead, we describe our results with a fully quantum mechanical model yielding new intuition about ultracold chemistry.

Evanescent Wave Atomic Mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghezali, S.; Taleb, A.

2008-09-01

A research project at the "Laboratoire d'électronique quantique" consists in a theoretical study of the reflection and diffraction phenomena via an atomic mirror. This poster presents the principle of an atomic mirror. Many groups in the world have constructed this type of atom optics experiments such as in Paris-Orsay-Villetaneuse (France), Stanford-Gaithersburg (USA), Munich-Heidelberg (Germany), etc. A laser beam goes into a prism with an incidence bigger than the critical incidence. It undergoes a total reflection on the plane face of the prism and then exits. The transmitted resulting wave out of the prism is evanescent and repulsive as the frequency detuning of the laser beam compared to the atomic transition δ = ωL-ω0 is positive. The cold atomic sample interacts with this evanescent wave and undergoes one or more elastic bounces by passing into backward points in its trajectory because the atoms' kinetic energy (of the order of the μeV) is less than the maximum of the dipolar potential barrier ℏΩ2/Δ where Ω is the Rabi frequency [1]. In fact, the atoms are cooled and captured in a magneto-optical trap placed at a distance of the order of the cm above the prism surface. The dipolar potential with which interact the slow atoms is obtained for a two level atom in a case of a dipolar electric transition (D2 Rubidium transition at a wavelength of 780nm delivered by a Titane-Saphir laser between a fundamental state Jf = l/2 and an excited state Je = 3/2). This potential is corrected by an attractive Van der Waals term which varies as 1/z3 in the Lennard-Jones approximation (typical atomic distance of the order of λ0/2π where λ0 is the laser wavelength) and in 1/z4 if the distance between the atom and its image in the dielectric is big in front of λ0/2π. This last case is obtained in a quantum electrodynamic calculation by taking into account an orthornormal base [2]. We'll examine the role of spontaneous emission for which the rate is inversely

Rubidium-Strontium Formation Age of Allan Hills 84001 Carbonates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Borg, L. E.; Nyquist, L. E.; Shih, C.-Y.; Weismann, H.; Reese, Y.; Connelly, J. N.

1998-01-01

Our preferred age for the formation of carbonates in the martian meteorite ALH 84001 is 3.90 plus or minus 0.04 Ga for Lambda (Rubidium 87) equals 0.01402 Ga (exp -1), or 3.85 plus or minus 0.04 Ga for Lambda (Rubidium 87) = 0.0142 Ga(exponent -1). This age is determined by a three-point Rb-Sr isochron defined by leachates of high-graded carbonate-rich material. Major cation and especially phosphorous analyses of the leachates permit contributions from igneous whitlockite to be recognized for low-acidity leachates, and the corresponding data are omitted from the isochron. Data for the two highest acidity leachates plot close to the preferred isochron, but are omitted because we believe they contain contributions leached from the pyroxene substrate on which most of the carbonates are found. Nevertheless, the isochron age for all five highest-acidity leachates is 3.94 plus or minus 0.04 Ga, and is within error of the age obtained for the more restricted data set. All leachates used to define the isochron have major cation compositions that are singular to those obtained by microprobe analyses of the carbonate rosettes and are consistent with progressive digestion of the carbonates according to their composition. The age thus obtained for the carbonates is about 600 m.y. younger than the crystalization age of ALH 84001 determined by Sm-Nd analyses but is within error limits of the age of impact metamorphism inferred from the Rb-Sr and Ar-Ar systematics of silicates. which yield ages of 3.85 plus or minus 0.05 Ga and 4.05- 3.80 Ga to 4.3-3.8 Ga, respectively. Similarities between the carbonate crystallization age and the age of impact metamorphism as determined by Ar-Ar and Rb-Sr suggest that the carbonate formation is impact-related. Nevertheless, both high and low- temperature scenarios for the origin of the carbonates are possible.

Scalable quantum information processing with photons and atoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Jian-Wei

Over the past three decades, the promises of super-fast quantum computing and secure quantum cryptography have spurred a world-wide interest in quantum information, generating fascinating quantum technologies for coherent manipulation of individual quantum systems. However, the distance of fiber-based quantum communications is limited due to intrinsic fiber loss and decreasing of entanglement quality. Moreover, probabilistic single-photon source and entanglement source demand exponentially increased overheads for scalable quantum information processing. To overcome these problems, we are taking two paths in parallel: quantum repeaters and through satellite. We used the decoy-state QKD protocol to close the loophole of imperfect photon source, and used the measurement-device-independent QKD protocol to close the loophole of imperfect photon detectors--two main loopholes in quantum cryptograph. Based on these techniques, we are now building world's biggest quantum secure communication backbone, from Beijing to Shanghai, with a distance exceeding 2000 km. Meanwhile, we are developing practically useful quantum repeaters that combine entanglement swapping, entanglement purification, and quantum memory for the ultra-long distance quantum communication. The second line is satellite-based global quantum communication, taking advantage of the negligible photon loss and decoherence in the atmosphere. We realized teleportation and entanglement distribution over 100 km, and later on a rapidly moving platform. We are also making efforts toward the generation of multiphoton entanglement and its use in teleportation of multiple properties of a single quantum particle, topological error correction, quantum algorithms for solving systems of linear equations and machine learning. Finally, I will talk about our recent experiments on quantum simulations on ultracold atoms. On the one hand, by applying an optical Raman lattice technique, we realized a two-dimensional spin-obit (SO

Development of the Science Data System for the International Space Station Cold Atom Lab

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

van Harmelen, Chris; Soriano, Melissa A.

2015-01-01

Cold Atom Laboratory (CAL) is a facility that will enable scientists to study ultra-cold quantum gases in a microgravity environment on the International Space Station (ISS) beginning in 2016. The primary science data for each experiment consists of two images taken in quick succession. The first image is of the trapped cold atoms and the second image is of the background. The two images are subtracted to obtain optical density. These raw Level 0 atom and background images are processed into the Level 1 optical density data product, and then into the Level 2 data products: atom number, Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) lifetime, magnetic chip-trap atom lifetime, and condensate fraction. These products can also be used as diagnostics of the instrument health. With experiments being conducted for 8 hours every day, the amount of data being generated poses many technical challenges, such as downlinking and managing the required data volume. A parallel processing design is described, implemented, and benchmarked. In addition to optimizing the data pipeline, accuracy and speed in producing the Level 1 and 2 data products is key. Algorithms for feature recognition are explored, facilitating image cropping and accurate atom number calculations.

Ion-neutral-atom sympathetic cooling in a hybrid linear rf Paul and magneto-optical trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodman, D. S.; Sivarajah, I.; Wells, J. E.; Narducci, F. A.; Smith, W. W.

2012-09-01

Long-range polarization forces between ions and neutral atoms result in large elastic scattering cross sections (e.g., ˜106a.u. for Na-Na+ or Na-Ca+ at cold and ultracold temperatures). This suggests that a hybrid ion-neutral trap should offer a general means for significant sympathetic cooling of atomic or molecular ions. We present simion 7.0 simulation results concerning the advantages and limitations of sympathetic cooling within a hybrid trap apparatus consisting of a linear rf Paul trap concentric with a Na magneto-optical trap (MOT). This paper explores the impact of various heating mechanisms on the hybrid system and how parameters related to the MOT, Paul trap, number of ions, and ion species affect the efficiency of the sympathetic cooling.

Light storage in a cold atomic ensemble with a high optical depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Kwang-Kyoon; Chough, Young-Tak; Kim, Yoon-Ho

2017-06-01

A quantum memory with a high storage efficiency and a long coherence time is an essential element in quantum information applications. Here, we report our recent development of an optical quantum memory with a rubidium-87 cold atom ensemble. By increasing the optical depth of the medium, we have achieved a storage efficiency of 65% and a coherence time of 51 μs for a weak laser pulse. The result of a numerical analysis based on the Maxwell-Bloch equations agrees well with the experimental results. Our result paves the way toward an efficient optical quantum memory and may find applications in photonic quantum information processing.

Understanding Molecular-Ion Neutral Atom Collisions for the Production of Ultracold Molecular Ions

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-03

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: This project was superseded and replaced by another ARO-funded project of the same name, which is still continuing. The goal...cooled atoms," IOTA -COST Workshop on molecular ions, Arosa, Switzerland. 5. E.R. Hudson, "Sympathetic cooling of molecules with laser cooled

Quantum teleportation between remote atomic-ensemble quantum memories

PubMed Central

Bao, Xiao-Hui; Xu, Xiao-Fan; Li, Che-Ming; Yuan, Zhen-Sheng; Lu, Chao-Yang; Pan, Jian-Wei

2012-01-01

Quantum teleportation and quantum memory are two crucial elements for large-scale quantum networks. With the help of prior distributed entanglement as a “quantum channel,” quantum teleportation provides an intriguing means to faithfully transfer quantum states among distant locations without actual transmission of the physical carriers [Bennett CH, et al. (1993) Phys Rev Lett 70(13):1895–1899]. Quantum memory enables controlled storage and retrieval of fast-flying photonic quantum bits with stationary matter systems, which is essential to achieve the scalability required for large-scale quantum networks. Combining these two capabilities, here we realize quantum teleportation between two remote atomic-ensemble quantum memory nodes, each composed of ∼108 rubidium atoms and connected by a 150-m optical fiber. The spin wave state of one atomic ensemble is mapped to a propagating photon and subjected to Bell state measurements with another single photon that is entangled with the spin wave state of the other ensemble. Two-photon detection events herald the success of teleportation with an average fidelity of 88(7)%. Besides its fundamental interest as a teleportation between two remote macroscopic objects, our technique may be useful for quantum information transfer between different nodes in quantum networks and distributed quantum computing. PMID:23144222

Quantum teleportation between remote atomic-ensemble quantum memories.

PubMed

Bao, Xiao-Hui; Xu, Xiao-Fan; Li, Che-Ming; Yuan, Zhen-Sheng; Lu, Chao-Yang; Pan, Jian-Wei

2012-12-11

Quantum teleportation and quantum memory are two crucial elements for large-scale quantum networks. With the help of prior distributed entanglement as a "quantum channel," quantum teleportation provides an intriguing means to faithfully transfer quantum states among distant locations without actual transmission of the physical carriers [Bennett CH, et al. (1993) Phys Rev Lett 70(13):1895-1899]. Quantum memory enables controlled storage and retrieval of fast-flying photonic quantum bits with stationary matter systems, which is essential to achieve the scalability required for large-scale quantum networks. Combining these two capabilities, here we realize quantum teleportation between two remote atomic-ensemble quantum memory nodes, each composed of ∼10(8) rubidium atoms and connected by a 150-m optical fiber. The spin wave state of one atomic ensemble is mapped to a propagating photon and subjected to Bell state measurements with another single photon that is entangled with the spin wave state of the other ensemble. Two-photon detection events herald the success of teleportation with an average fidelity of 88(7)%. Besides its fundamental interest as a teleportation between two remote macroscopic objects, our technique may be useful for quantum information transfer between different nodes in quantum networks and distributed quantum computing.

Emergence of kinetic behavior in streaming ultracold neutral plasmas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McQuillen, P.; Castro, J.; Bradshaw, S. J.

2015-04-15

We create streaming ultracold neutral plasmas by tailoring the photoionizing laser beam that creates the plasma. By varying the electron temperature, we control the relative velocity of the streaming populations, and, in conjunction with variation of the plasma density, this controls the ion collisionality of the colliding streams. Laser-induced fluorescence is used to map the spatially resolved density and velocity distribution function for the ions. We identify the lack of local thermal equilibrium and distinct populations of interpenetrating, counter-streaming ions as signatures of kinetic behavior. Experimental data are compared with results from a one-dimensional, two-fluid numerical simulation.

Creating fractional quantum Hall states with atomic clusters using light-assisted insertion of angular momentum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Junyi; Beugnon, Jerome; Nascimbene, Sylvain

We describe a protocol to prepare clusters of ultracold bosonic atoms in strongly interacting states reminiscent of fractional quantum Hall states. Our scheme consists in injecting a controlled amount of angular momentum to an atomic gas using Raman transitions carrying orbital angular momentum. By injecting one unit of angular momentum per atom, one realizes a single-vortex state, which is well described by mean-field theory for large enough particle numbers. We also present schemes to realize fractional quantum Hall states, namely, the bosonic Laughlin and Moore-Read states. We investigate the requirements for adiabatic nucleation of such topological states, in particular comparing linear Landau-Zener ramps and arbitrary ramps obtained from optimized control methods. We also show that this protocol requires excellent control over the isotropic character of the trapping potential. ERC-Synergy Grant UQUAM, ANR-10-IDEX-0001-02, DIM NanoK Atocirc project.

Cooling of trapped ions by resonant charge exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutta, Sourav; Rangwala, S. A.

2018-04-01

The two most widely used ion cooling methods are laser cooling and sympathetic cooling by elastic collisions (ECs). Here, we demonstrate another method of cooling ions that is based on resonant charge exchange (RCE) between the trapped ion and the ultracold parent atom. Specifically, trapped C s+ ions are cooled by collisions with cotrapped, ultracold Cs atoms and, separately, by collisions with cotrapped, ultracold Rb atoms. We observe that the cooling of C s+ ions by Cs atoms is more efficient than the cooling of C s+ ions by Rb atoms. This signals the presence of a cooling mechanism apart from the elastic ion-atom collision channel for the Cs-C s+ case, which is cooling by RCE. The efficiency of cooling by RCE is experimentally determined and the per-collision cooling is found to be two orders of magnitude higher than cooling by EC. The result provides the experimental basis for future studies on charge transport by electron hopping in atom-ion hybrid systems.

Observation of optically induced feshbach resonances in collisions of cold atoms

PubMed

Fatemi; Jones; Lett

2000-11-20

We have observed optically induced Feshbach resonances in a cold ( <1 mK) sodium vapor. The optical coupling of the ground and excited-state potentials changes the scattering properties of an ultracold gas in much the same way as recently observed magnetically induced Feshbach resonances, but allows for some experimental conveniences associated with using lasers. The scattering properties can be varied by changing either the intensity or the detuning of a laser tuned near a photoassociation transition to a molecular state in the dimer. In principle this method allows the scattering length of any atomic species to be altered. A simple model is used to fit the dispersive resonance line shapes.

Atomic magnetometer for human magnetoencephalograpy.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schwindt, Peter; Johnson, Cort N.

2010-12-01

We have developed a high sensitivity (<5 fTesla/{radical}Hz), fiber-optically coupled magnetometer to detect magnetic fields produced by the human brain. This is the first demonstration of a noncryogenic sensor that could replace cryogenic superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometers in magnetoencephalography (MEG) and is an important advance in realizing cost-effective MEG. Within the sensor, a rubidium vapor is optically pumped with 795 laser light while field-induced optical rotations are measured with 780 nm laser light. Both beams share a single optical axis to maximize simplicity and compactness. In collaboration with neuroscientists at The Mind Research Network in Albuquerque, NM, themore » evoked responses resulting from median nerve and auditory stimulation were recorded with the atomic magnetometer and a commercial SQUID-based MEG system with signals comparing favorably. Multi-sensor operation has been demonstrated with two AMs placed on opposite sides of the head. Straightforward miniaturization would enable high-density sensor arrays for whole-head magnetoencephalography.« less

Repulsive atomic gas in a harmonic trap on the border of itinerant ferromagnetism.

PubMed

Conduit, G J; Simons, B D

2009-11-13

Alongside superfluidity, itinerant (Stoner) ferromagnetism remains one of the most well-characterized phases of correlated Fermi systems. A recent experiment has reported the first evidence for novel phase behavior on the repulsive side of the Feshbach resonance in a two-component ultracold Fermi gas. By adapting recent theoretical studies to the atomic trap geometry, we show that an adiabatic ferromagnetic transition would take place at a weaker interaction strength than is observed in experiment. This discrepancy motivates a simple nonequilibrium theory that takes account of the dynamics of magnetic defects and three-body losses. The formalism developed displays good quantitative agreement with experiment.

Spin Self-Rephasing and Very Long Coherence Times in a Trapped Atomic Ensemble

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deutsch, C.; Reinhard, F.; Schneider, T.

2010-07-09

We perform Ramsey spectroscopy on the ground state of ultracold {sup 87}Rb atoms magnetically trapped on a chip in the Knudsen regime. Field inhomogeneities over the sample should limit the 1/e contrast decay time to about 3 s, while decay times of 58{+-}12 s are actually observed. We explain this surprising result by a spin self-rephasing mechanism induced by the identical spin rotation effect originating from particle indistinguishability. We propose a theory of this synchronization mechanism and obtain good agreement with the experimental observations. The effect is general and may appear in other physical systems.

On the tunneling time of ultracold atoms through a system of two mazer cavities.

PubMed

Badshah, Fazal; Ge, Guo-Qin; Irfan, Muhammad; Qamar, Sajid; Qamar, Shahid

2018-01-30

We study the resonant tunneling of ultraslow atoms through a system of high quality microwave cavities. We find that the phase tunneling time across the two coupled cavities exhibits more frequent resonances as compared to the single cavity interaction. The increased resonances are instrumental in the display of an alternate sub and superclassical character of the tunneling time along the momentum axis with increasing energies of the incident slow atoms. Here, the intercavity separation appears as an additional controlling parameter of the system that provides an efficient control of the superclassical behavior of the phase tunneling time. Further, we find that the phase time characteristics through two cavity system has the combined features of the tunneling through a double barrier and a double well arrangements.

Myocardial perfusion in patients with suspected coronary artery disease: comparison between 320-MDCT and rubidium-82 PET.

PubMed

Dantas, Roberto Nery; Assuncao, Antonildes Nascimento; Marques, Ismar Aguiar; Fahel, Mateus Guimaraes; Nomura, Cesar Higa; Avila, Luiz Francisco Rodrigues; Giorgi, Maria Clementina Pinto; Soares, Jose; Meneghetti, Jose Claudio; Parga, Jose Rodrigues

2018-06-01

Despite advances in non-invasive myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) evaluation, computed tomography (CT) multiphase MPI protocols have not yet been compared with the highly accurate rubidium-82 positron emission tomography ( 82 RbPET) MPI. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate agreement between 82 RbPET and 320-detector row CT (320-CT) MPI using a multiphase protocol in suspected CAD patients. Forty-four patients referred for MPI evaluation were prospectively enrolled and underwent dipyridamole stress 82 RbPET and multiphase 320-CT MPI (five consecutive volumetric acquisitions during stress). Statistical analyses were performed using the R software. There was high agreement for recognizing summed stress scores ≥ 4 (kappa 0.77, 95% CI 0.55-0.98, p < 0.001) and moderate for detecting SDS ≥ 2 (kappa 0.51, 95% CI 0.23-0.80, p < 0.001). In a per segment analysis, agreement was high for the presence of perfusion defects during stress and rest (kappa 0.75 and 0.82, respectively) and was moderate for impairment severity (kappa 0.58 and 0.65, respectively). The 320-CT protocol was safe, with low radiation burden (9.3 ± 2.4 mSv). There was a significant agreement between dipyridamole stress 320-CT MPI and 82 RbPET MPI in the evaluation of suspected CAD patients of intermediate risk. The multiphase 320-CT MPI protocol was feasible, diagnostic and with relatively low radiation exposure. • Rubidium-82 PET and 320-MDCT can perform MPI studies for CAD investigation. • There is high agreement between rubidium-82 PET and 320-MDCT for MPI assessment. • Multiphase CT perfusion protocols are feasible and with low radiation. • Multiphase CT perfusion protocols can identify image artefacts.

Analysis of the Alkali Metal Diatomic Spectra; Using molecular beams and ultracold molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jin-Tae

2014-12-01

This ebook illustrates the complementarity of molecular beam (MB) spectra and ultracold molecule (UM) spectra in unraveling the complex electronic spectra of diatomic alkali metal molecules, using KRb as a prime example. Researchers interested in molecular spectroscopy, whether physicist, chemist, or engineer, may find this ebook helpful and may be able to apply similar ideas to their molecules of interest.

Rubidium-strontium date of possibly 3 billion years for a granitic rock from antarctica.

PubMed

Halpern, M

1970-09-04

A single total rock sample of biotite granite from Jule Peaks, Antarctica, has been dated by the rubidium-strontium method at about 3 billion years. The juxtaposition of this sector of Antarctica with Africa in the Dietz and Sproll continental drift reconstruction results in a possible geochronologic fit of the Princess Martha Coast of Antarctica with a covered possible notheastern extension of the African Swaziland Shield, which contains granitic rocks that are also 3 billion years old.

Coherent scattering of near-resonant light by a dense, microscopic cloud of cold two-level atoms: Experiment versus theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jennewein, Stephan; Brossard, Ludovic; Sortais, Yvan R. P.; Browaeys, Antoine; Cheinet, Patrick; Robert, Jacques; Pillet, Pierre

2018-05-01

We measure the coherent scattering of low-intensity, near-resonant light by a cloud of laser-cooled two-level rubidium atoms with a size comparable to the wavelength of light. We isolate a two-level atomic structure by applying a 300-G magnetic field. We measure both the temporal and the steady-state coherent optical response of the cloud for various detunings of the laser and for atom numbers ranging from 5 to 100. We compare our results to a microscopic coupled-dipole model and to a multimode, paraxial Maxwell-Bloch model. In the low-intensity regime, both models are in excellent agreement, thus validating the Maxwell-Bloch model. Comparing to the data, the models are found in very good agreement for relatively low densities (n /k3≲0.1 ), while significant deviations start to occur at higher density. This disagreement indicates that light scattering in dense, cold atomic ensembles is still not quantitatively understood, even in pristine experimental conditions.

Review: comparison of PET rubidium-82 with conventional SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging

PubMed Central

Ghotbi, Adam A; Kjær, Andreas; Hasbak, Philip

2014-01-01

Nuclear cardiology has for many years been focused on gamma camera technology. With ever improving cameras and software applications, this modality has developed into an important assessment tool for ischaemic heart disease. However, the development of new perfusion tracers has been scarce. While cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) so far largely has been limited to centres with on-site cyclotron, recent developments with generator produced perfusion tracers such as rubidium-82, as well as an increasing number of PET scanners installed, may enable a larger patient flow that may supersede that of gamma camera myocardial perfusion imaging. PMID:24028171

Influence of the ac-Stark shift on GPS atomic clock timekeeping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Formichella, V.; Camparo, J.; Tavella, P.

2017-01-01

The ac-Stark shift (or light shift) is a fundamental aspect of the field/atom interaction arising from virtual transitions between atomic states, and as Alfred Kastler noted, it is the real-photon counterpart of the Lamb shift. In the rubidium atomic frequency standards (RAFS) flying on Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, it plays an important role as one of the major perturbations defining the RAFS' frequency: the rf-discharge lamp in the RAFS creates an atomic signal via optical pumping and simultaneously perturbs the atoms' ground-state hyperfine splitting via the light shift. Though the significance of the light shift has been known for decades, to date there has been no concrete evidence that it limits the performance of the high-quality RAFS flying on GPS satellites. Here, we show that the long-term frequency stability of GPS RAFS is primarily determined by the light shift as a consequence of stochastic jumps in lamplight intensity. Our results suggest three paths forward for improved GPS system timekeeping: (1) reduce the light-shift coefficient of the RAFS by careful control of the lamp's spectrum; (2) operate the lamp under conditions where lamplight jumps are not so pronounced; and (3) employ a light source for optical pumping that does not suffer pronounced light jumps (e.g., a diode laser).

Ultracold Mixtures of Rubidium and Ytterbium for Open Quantum System Engineering

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

was replaced with a standard nipple since the actual thermal conduction is comparable. Second, the collimation tube (5 mm ID x 15 cm length) was...Presumably, there is some sort of thin layer coating the Yb which must first be driven off. The helium buffer gas serves to shorten the mean free...path below the line-of-sight distance to the windows, and we can leave them at room temperature without coating them with Yb. The buffer gas causes

Measurement of Ultracold Neutrons Produced by Using Doppler-shifted Bragg Reflection at a Pulsed-neutron Source

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Brun, T. O.; Carpenter, J. M.; Krohn, V. E.; Ringo, G. R.; Cronin, J. W.; Dombeck, T. W.; Lynn, J. W.; Werner, S. A.

1979-01-01

Ultracold neutrons (UCN) have been produced at the Argonne pulsed-neutron source by the Doppler shift of 400-m/s neutrons Bragg reflected from a moving crystal. The peak density of UCN produced at the crystal exceeds 0.1 n/cm{sup 3}.

Focus on topological physics: from condensed matter to cold atoms and optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Hui; Rechtsman, Mikael; Lu, Yuan-Ming; Yang, Kun

2016-08-01

The notions of a topological phase and topological order were first introduced in the studies of integer and fractional quantum Hall effects, and further developed in the study of topological insulators and topological superconductors in the past decade. Topological concepts are now widely used in many branches of physics, not only limited to condensed matter systems but also in ultracold atomic systems, photonic materials and trapped ions. Papers published in this focus issue are direct testaments of that, and readers will gain a global view of how topology impacts different branches of contemporary physics. We hope that these pages will inspire new ideas through communication between different fields.

Progress towards a rapidly rotating ultracold Fermi gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Ming-Guang; van de Graaff, Michael; Cornell, Eric; Jin, Deborah

2015-05-01

We are designing an experiment with the goal of creating a rapidly rotating ultracold Fermi gas, which is promising system in which to study quantum Hall physics. We propose to use selective evaporation of a gas that has been initialized with a modest rotation rate to increase the angular momentum per particle in order to reach rapid rotation. We have performed simulations of this evaporation process for a model optical trap potential. Achieving rapid rotation will require a very smooth, very harmonic, and dynamically variable optical trap. We plan to use a setup consisting of two acousto-optical modulators to ``paint'' an optical dipole trapping potential that can be made smooth, radially symmetric, and harmonic. This project is supported by NSF, NIST, NASA.

Atom chip gravimeter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schubert, Christian; Abend, Sven; Gebbe, Martina; Gersemann, Matthias; Ahlers, Holger; Müntinga, Hauke; Matthias, Jonas; Sahelgozin, Maral; Herr, Waldemar; Lämmerzahl, Claus; Ertmer, Wolfgang; Rasel, Ernst

2016-04-01

Atom interferometry has developed into a tool for measuring rotations [1], accelerations [2], and testing fundamental physics [3]. Gravimeters based on laser cooled atoms demonstrated residual uncertainties of few microgal [2,4] and were simplified for field applications [5]. Atomic gravimeters rely on the interference of matter waves which are coherently manipulated by laser light fields. The latter can be interpreted as rulers to which the position of the atoms is compared. At three points in time separated by a free evolution, the light fields are pulsed onto the atoms. First, a coherent superposition of two momentum states is produced, then the momentum is inverted, and finally the two trajectories are recombined. Depending on the acceleration the atoms experienced, the number of atoms detected in the output ports will change. Consequently, the acceleration can be determined from the output signal. The laser cooled atoms with microkelvin temperatures used in state-of-the-art gravimeters impose limits on the accuracy [4]. Therefore, ultra-cold atoms generated by Bose-Einstein condensation and delta-kick collimation [6,7] are expected to be the key for further improvements. These sources suffered from a low flux implying an incompatible noise floor, but a competitive performance was demonstrated recently with atom chips [8]. In the compact and robust setup constructed for operation in the drop tower [6] we demonstrated all steps necessary for an atom chip gravimeter with Bose-Einstein condensates in a ground based operation. We will discuss the principle of operation, the current performance, and the perspectives to supersede the state of the art. The authors thank the QUANTUS cooperation for contributions to the drop tower project in the earlier stages. This work is supported by the German Space Agency (DLR) with funds provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) due to an enactment of the German Bundestag under grant numbers DLR 50WM

Control of Wannier orbitals for generating tunable Ising interactions of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Inaba, Kensuke; Tamaki, Kiyoshi; Igeta, Kazuhiro

2014-12-04

In this study, we propose a method for generating cluster states of atoms in an optical lattice. By utilizing the quantum properties of Wannier orbitals, we create an tunable Ising interaction between atoms without inducing the spin-exchange interactions. We investigate the cause of errors that occur during entanglement generations, and then we propose an error-management scheme, which allows us to create high-fidelity cluster states in a short time.

The Coldest Place in the Universe: Probing the Ultra-cold Outflow and Dusty Disk in the Boomerang Nebula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahai, R.; Vlemmings, W. H. T.; Nyman, L.-Å.

2017-06-01

Our Cycle 0 ALMA observations confirmed that the Boomerang Nebula is the coldest known object in the universe, with a massive high-speed outflow that has cooled significantly below the cosmic background temperature. Our new CO 1-0 data reveal heretofore unseen distant regions of this ultra-cold outflow, out to ≳120,000 au. We find that in the ultra-cold outflow, the mass-loss rate (\\dot{M}) increases with radius, similar to its expansion velocity (V)—taking V\\propto r, we find \\dot{M}\\propto {r}0.9{--2.2}. The mass in the ultra-cold outflow is ≳ 3.3 M ⊙, and the Boomerang’s main-sequence progenitor mass is ≳ 4 M ⊙. Our high angular resolution (˜ 0\\buildrel{\\prime\\prime}\\over{.} 3) CO J = 3-2 map shows the inner bipolar nebula’s precise, highly collimated shape, and a dense central waist of size (FWHM) ˜1740 au × 275 au. The molecular gas and the dust as seen in scattered light via optical Hubble Space Telescope imaging show a detailed correspondence. The waist shows a compact core in thermal dust emission at 0.87-3.3 mm, which harbors (4{--}7)× {10}-4 M ⊙ of very large (˜millimeter-to-centimeter sized), cold (˜ 20{--}30 K) grains. The central waist (assuming its outer regions to be expanding) and fast bipolar outflow have expansion ages of ≲ 1925 {years} and ≤slant 1050 {years}: the “jet-lag” (I.e., torus age minus the fast-outflow age) in the Boomerang supports models in which the primary star interacts directly with a binary companion. We argue that this interaction resulted in a common-envelope configuration, while the Boomerang’s primary was an RGB or early-AGB star, with the companion finally merging into the primary’s core, and ejecting the primary’s envelope that now forms the ultra-cold outflow.

Long-Lived Ultracold Molecules with Electric and Magnetic Dipole Moments.

PubMed

Rvachov, Timur M; Son, Hyungmok; Sommer, Ariel T; Ebadi, Sepehr; Park, Juliana J; Zwierlein, Martin W; Ketterle, Wolfgang; Jamison, Alan O

2017-10-06

We create fermionic dipolar ^{23}Na^{6}Li molecules in their triplet ground state from an ultracold mixture of ^{23}Na and ^{6}Li. Using magnetoassociation across a narrow Feshbach resonance followed by a two-photon stimulated Raman adiabatic passage to the triplet ground state, we produce 3×10^{4} ground state molecules in a spin-polarized state. We observe a lifetime of 4.6 s in an isolated molecular sample, approaching the p-wave universal rate limit. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy of the triplet state was used to determine the hyperfine structure of this previously unobserved molecular state.

Long-Lived Ultracold Molecules with Electric and Magnetic Dipole Moments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rvachov, Timur M.; Son, Hyungmok; Sommer, Ariel T.; Ebadi, Sepehr; Park, Juliana J.; Zwierlein, Martin W.; Ketterle, Wolfgang; Jamison, Alan O.

2017-10-01

We create fermionic dipolar 23Na 6Li molecules in their triplet ground state from an ultracold mixture of 23Na and 6Li. Using magnetoassociation across a narrow Feshbach resonance followed by a two-photon stimulated Raman adiabatic passage to the triplet ground state, we produce 3 ×1 04 ground state molecules in a spin-polarized state. We observe a lifetime of 4.6 s in an isolated molecular sample, approaching the p -wave universal rate limit. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy of the triplet state was used to determine the hyperfine structure of this previously unobserved molecular state.

Atom-optics knife-edge: Measuring sub-nanokelvin momentum distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramos, Ramon; Spierings, David; Steinberg, Aephraim

2017-04-01

Temperatures below 1 nanokelvin have been achieved in the recent years, enabling new classes of experiments which benefit from the resulting long coherence times. This achievement comes hand in hand with the challenge of measuring such low temperatures. By employing the equivalent of a knife-edge measurement for matter-waves, we have been able to characterize ultra-low momentum widths. We measured a momentum width corresponding to an effective temperature of 900 +/- 200 pK, only limited by our cooling performance. We show that this technique compares favourably with more traditional methods, which would require expansion times of 100's of ms or frequency stability of 10's of Hz. Finally, we show that the effective knife-edge, created by a potential barrier, begins to become ''blunt'' due to tunneling for thin barriers, and we obtain quantitative agreement with a theoretical model. This method is a useful tool for atomic interferometry and other areas in ultracold atoms where a robust and precise technique for characterizing the momentum distribution is required.

Ab Initio Study of Chemical Reactions of Cold SrF and CaF Molecules with Alkali-Metal and Alkaline-Earth-Metal Atoms: The Implications for Sympathetic Cooling.

PubMed

Kosicki, Maciej Bartosz; Kędziera, Dariusz; Żuchowski, Piotr Szymon

2017-06-01

We investigate the energetics of the atom exchange reaction in the SrF + alkali-metal atom and CaF + alkali-metal atom systems. Such reactions are possible only for collisions of SrF and CaF with the lithium atoms, while they are energetically forbidden for other alkali-metal atoms. Specifically, we focus on SrF interacting with Li, Rb, and Sr atoms and use ab initio methods to demonstrate that the SrF + Li and SrF + Sr reactions are barrierless. We present potential energy surfaces for the interaction of the SrF molecule with the Li, Rb, and Sr atoms in their energetically lowest-lying electronic spin states. The obtained potential energy surfaces are deep and exhibit profound interaction anisotropies. We predict that the collisions of SrF molecules in the rotational or Zeeman excited states most likely have a strong inelastic character. We discuss the prospects for the sympathetic cooling of SrF and CaF molecules using ultracold alkali-metal atoms.

Ultracold collisions between spin-orbit-coupled dipoles: General formalism and universality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jia; Hougaard, Christiaan R.; Mulkerin, Brendan C.; Liu, Xia-Ji

2018-04-01

A theoretical study of the low-energy scattering properties of two aligned identical bosonic and fermionic dipoles in the presence of isotropic spin-orbit coupling is presented. A general treatment of particles with arbitrary (pseudo)spin is given in the framework of multichannel scattering. At ultracold temperatures and away from shape resonances or closed-channel dominated resonances, the cross section can be well described within the Born approximation to within corrections due to the s -wave scattering. We compare our findings with numerical calculations and find excellent agreement.

Two-Photon Excitation of Launched Cold Atoms in Flight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodsell, Anne; Gonzalez, Rene; Alejandro, Eduardo; Erwin, Emma

2017-04-01

We demonstrate two-photon bi-chromatic excitation of cold rubidium atoms in flight, using the pathway 5S1 / 2 -> 5P3 / 2 -> 5D5 / 2 with two resonant photons. In our experiment, atoms are laser-cooled in a magneto-optical trap and launched upward in discrete clouds with a controllable vertical speed of 7.1 +/-0.6 m/s and a velocity spread that is less than 10% of the launch speed. Outside the cooling beams, as high as 14 mm above the original center of the trap, the launched cold atoms are illuminated simultaneously by spatially-localized horizontal excitation beams at 780 nm (5S1 / 2 -> 5P3 / 2) and 776 nm (5P3 / 2 -> 5D5 / 2). We monitor transmission of the 780-nm beam over a range of intensities of 780-nm and 776-nm light. As the center of the moving cloud passes the excitation beams, we observe as much as 97.9 +/-1.2% transmission when the rate of two-photon absorption is high and the 5S1 / 2 and 5P3 / 2 states are depopulated, compared to 87.6 +/-0.9% transmission if only the 780-nm beam is present. This demonstrates two-photon excitation of a launched cold-atom source with controllable launch velocity and narrow velocity spread, as a foundation for three-photon excitation to Rydberg states. Research supported by Middlebury College Bicentennial Fund, Palen Fund, and Gladstone Award.

Evaluation of commercial nickel-phosphorus coating for ultracold neutron guides using a pinhole bottling method

DOE PAGES

Pattie. Jr., Robert Wayne; Adamek, Evan Robert; Brenner, Thomas; ...

2017-08-10

We report on the evaluation of commercial electroless nickel phosphorus (NiP) coatings for ultracold neutron (UCN) transport and storage. The material potential of 50μm thick NiP coatings on stainless steel and aluminum substrates was measured to be V F=213(5.2)neV using the time-of-flight spectrometer ASTERIX at the Lujan Center. The loss per bounce probability was measured in pinhole bottling experiments carried out at ultracold neutron sources at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center and the Institut Laue-Langevin. For these tests a new guide coupling design was used to minimize gaps between the guide sections. The observed UCN loss in the bottle wasmore » interpreted in terms of an energy independent effective loss per bounce, which is the appropriate model when gaps in the system and upscattering are the dominate loss mechanisms, yielding a loss per bounce of 1.3(1)×10 –4. In conclusion, we also present a detailed discussion of the pinhole bottling methodology and an energy dependent analysis of the experimental results.« less

Evaluation of commercial nickel-phosphorus coating for ultracold neutron guides using a pinhole bottling method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pattie, R. W.; Adamek, E. R.; Brenner, T.; Brandt, A.; Broussard, L. J.; Callahan, N. B.; Clayton, S. M.; Cude-Woods, C.; Currie, S. A.; Geltenbort, P.; Ito, T. M.; Lauer, T.; Liu, C. Y.; Majewski, J.; Makela, M.; Masuda, Y.; Morris, C. L.; Ramsey, J. C.; Salvat, D. J.; Saunders, A.; Schroffenegger, J.; Tang, Z.; Wei, W.; Wang, Z.; Watkins, E.; Young, A. R.; Zeck, B. A.

2017-11-01

We report on the evaluation of commercial electroless nickel phosphorus (NiP) coatings for ultracold neutron (UCN) transport and storage. The material potential of 50 μm thick NiP coatings on stainless steel and aluminum substrates was measured to be VF = 213(5 . 2) neV using the time-of-flight spectrometer ASTERIX at the Lujan Center. The loss per bounce probability was measured in pinhole bottling experiments carried out at ultracold neutron sources at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center and the Institut Laue-Langevin. For these tests a new guide coupling design was used to minimize gaps between the guide sections. The observed UCN loss in the bottle was interpreted in terms of an energy independent effective loss per bounce, which is the appropriate model when gaps in the system and upscattering are the dominate loss mechanisms, yielding a loss per bounce of 1 . 3(1) × 10-4. We also present a detailed discussion of the pinhole bottling methodology and an energy dependent analysis of the experimental results.

Evaluation of commercial nickel-phosphorus coating for ultracold neutron guides using a pinhole bottling method

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pattie. Jr., Robert Wayne; Adamek, Evan Robert; Brenner, Thomas

We report on the evaluation of commercial electroless nickel phosphorus (NiP) coatings for ultracold neutron (UCN) transport and storage. The material potential of 50μm thick NiP coatings on stainless steel and aluminum substrates was measured to be V F=213(5.2)neV using the time-of-flight spectrometer ASTERIX at the Lujan Center. The loss per bounce probability was measured in pinhole bottling experiments carried out at ultracold neutron sources at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center and the Institut Laue-Langevin. For these tests a new guide coupling design was used to minimize gaps between the guide sections. The observed UCN loss in the bottle wasmore » interpreted in terms of an energy independent effective loss per bounce, which is the appropriate model when gaps in the system and upscattering are the dominate loss mechanisms, yielding a loss per bounce of 1.3(1)×10 –4. In conclusion, we also present a detailed discussion of the pinhole bottling methodology and an energy dependent analysis of the experimental results.« less

High helicity vortex conversion in a rubidium vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chopinaud, Aurélien; Jacquey, Marion; Viaris de Lesegno, Bruno; Pruvost, Laurence

2018-06-01

The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light is a quantity explored for communication and quantum technology, its key strength being a wide set of values offering a large basis for quantum working. In this context we have studied the vortex conversion from a red optical vortex to a blue one, for OAMs ranging -30 to +30 . The conversion is realized in a rubidium vapor, via the 5 S1 /2-5 D5 /285Rb two-photon transition done with a Gaussian beam at 780 nm plus a Laguerre-Gaussian beam at 776 nm with the OAM ℓ , producing a radiation at 420 nm . With copropagating input beams, we demonstrate a conversion from red to blue for high-ℓ input vortices. We show that the output blue vortex respects the azimuthal phase matching, has a size determined by the product of the input beams, and a power decreasing with ℓ , in agreement with their overlap. Its propagation indicates that the generated blue wave is a nearly pure Laguerre-Gaussian mode. The vortex converter thus permits a correct OAM transmission.

Applications of atom interferometry - from ground to space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schubert, Christian; Rasel, Ernst Maria; Gaaloul, Naceur; Ertmer, Wolfgang

2016-07-01

Atom interferometry is utilized for the measurement of rotations [1], accelerations [2] and for tests of fundamental physics [3]. In these devices, three laser light pulses separated by a free evolution time coherently manipulate the matter waves which resembles the Mach-Zehnder geometry in optics. Atom gravimeters demonstrated an accuracy of few microgal [2,4], and atom gradiometers showed a noise floor of 30 E Hz^{-1/2} [5]. Further enhancements of atom interferometers are anticipated by the integration of novel source concepts providing ultracold atoms, extending the free fall time of the atoms, and enhanced techniques for coherent manipulation. Sources providing Bose-Einstein condensates recently demontrated a flux compatible with precision experiments [6]. All of these aspects are studied in the transportable quantum gravimeter QG-1 and the very long baseline atom interferometry teststand in Hannover [7] with the goal of surpassing the microgal regime. Going beyond ground based setups, the QUANTUS collaboration exploits the unique features of a microgravity environment in drop tower experiments [8] and in a sounding rocket mission. The payloads are compact and robust atom optics experiments based on atom chips [6], enabling technology for transportable sensors on ground as a byproduct. More prominently, they are pathfinders for proposed satellite missions as tests of the universality of free fall [9] and gradiometry based on atom interferometers [10]. This work is supported by the German Space Agency (DLR) with funds provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) due to an enactment of the German Bundestag under grant numbers DLR 50WM1552-1557 (QUANTUS-IV-Fallturm) and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft in the framework of the SFB 1128 geo-Q. [1] PRL 114 063002 2015 [2] Nature 400 849 1999 [3] PRL 112 203002 2014 [4] NJP 13 065026 2011 [5] PRA 65 033608 2002 [6] NJP 17 065001 2015 [7] NJP 17 035011 2015 [8] PRL 110 093602 2013 [9

Laser spectroscopic probing of coexisting superfluid and insulating states of an atomic Bose–Hubbard system

PubMed Central

Kato, Shinya; Inaba, Kensuke; Sugawa, Seiji; Shibata, Kosuke; Yamamoto, Ryuta; Yamashita, Makoto; Takahashi, Yoshiro

2016-01-01

A system of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice has been regarded as an ideal quantum simulator for a Hubbard model with extremely high controllability of the system parameters. While making use of the controllability, a comprehensive measurement across the weakly to strongly interacting regimes in the Hubbard model to discuss the quantum many-body state is still limited. Here we observe a great change in the excitation energy spectra across the two regimes in an atomic Bose–Hubbard system by using a spectroscopic technique, which can resolve the site occupancy in the lattice. By quantitatively comparing the observed spectra and numerical simulations based on sum rule relations and a binary fluid treatment under a finite temperature Gutzwiller approximation, we show that the spectra reflect the coexistence of a delocalized superfluid state and a localized insulating state across the two regimes. PMID:27094083

Metrological features of the rubidium two-photon standards of the BNM-LPTF and Kastler Brossel Laboratories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hilico, L.; Felder, R.; Touahri, D.; Acef, O.; Clairon, A.; Biraben, F.

1998-11-01

We have built three optical frequency standards based on the two-photon transition of rubidium at 778nm, and analysed their performance over a period of more than three years. We discuss some systematic effects that could lead to the reproducibility we observe, and point out the possible improvements of the devices. We also examine the short and long term stabilities of the systems, and show that we have reached their ultimate performances.

Techniques for measuring the atomic recoil frequency using a grating-echo atom interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barrett, Brynle

I have developed three types of time-domain echo atom interferometer (AIs) that use either two or three standing-wave pulses in different configurations. Experiments approaching the transit time limit are achieved using samples of laser-cooled rubidium atoms with temperatures < 5 μK contained within a glass vacuum chamber—an environment that is largely free of both magnetic fields and field gradients. The principles of the atom-interferometric measurement of Eq can be understood based on a description of the "two-pulse" AI. This interferometer uses two standing-wave pulses applied at times t = 0 and t = T 21 to create a superposition of atomic momentum states differing by multiples of the two-photon momentum, ħq = 2 ħk where k is the optical wave number, that interfere in the vicinity of t = 2T 21. This interference or "echo" manifests itself as a density grating in the atomic sample, and is probed by applying a near-resonant traveling-wave "read-out" pulse and measuring the intensity of the coherent light Bragg-scattered in the backward direction. The scattered light from the grating is associated with a λ/2-periodic modulation produced by the interference of momentum states differing by ħq. Interfering states that differ by more than ħq—which produce higher-frequency spatial modulation within the sample—cannot be detected due to the nature of the Bragg scattering detection technique employed in the experiment. The intensity of the scattered light varies in a periodic manner as a function of the standing-wave pulse separation, T21. The fundamental frequency of this modulation is the two-photon atomic recoil frequency, ω q = ħq2/2M, where q = 2k and M is the mass of the atom (a rubidium isotope in this case). The recoil frequency, ω q, is related to the recoil energy, Eq = ħωq, which is the kinetic energy associated with the recoil of the atom after a coherent two-photon scattering process. By performing the experiment on a suitably long time scale

Developing Density of Laser-Cooled Neutral Atoms and Molecules in a Linear Magnetic Trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velasquez, Joe, III; Walstrom, Peter; di Rosa, Michael

2013-05-01

In this poster we show that neutral particle injection and accumulation using laser-induced spin flips may be used to form dense ensembles of ultracold magnetic particles, i.e., laser-cooled paramagnetic atoms and molecules. Particles are injected in a field-seeking state, are switched by optical pumping to a field-repelled state, and are stored in the minimum-B trap. The analogous process in high-energy charged-particle accumulator rings is charge-exchange injection using stripper foils. The trap is a linear array of sextupoles capped by solenoids. Particle-tracking calculations and design of our linear accumulator along with related experiments involving 7Li will be presented. We test these concepts first with atoms in preparation for later work with selected molecules. Finally, we present our preliminary results with CaH, our candidate molecule for laser cooling. This project is funded by the LDRD program of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Atomic quantum simulation of dynamical gauge fields coupled to fermionic matter: from string breaking to evolution after a quench.

PubMed

Banerjee, D; Dalmonte, M; Müller, M; Rico, E; Stebler, P; Wiese, U-J; Zoller, P

2012-10-26

Using a Fermi-Bose mixture of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice, we construct a quantum simulator for a U(1) gauge theory coupled to fermionic matter. The construction is based on quantum links which realize continuous gauge symmetry with discrete quantum variables. At low energies, quantum link models with staggered fermions emerge from a Hubbard-type model which can be quantum simulated. This allows us to investigate string breaking as well as the real-time evolution after a quench in gauge theories, which are inaccessible to classical simulation methods.

Ultracold bosons in a one-dimensional optical lattice chain: Newton's cradle and Bose enhancement effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ji-Guo; Yang, Shi-Jie

2017-05-01

We study a model to realize the long-distance correlated tunneling of ultracold bosons in a one-dimensional optical lattice chain. The model reveals the behavior of a quantum Newton's cradle, which is the perfect transfer between two macroscopic quantum states. Due to the Bose enhancement effect, we find that the resonantly tunneling through a Mott domain is greatly enhanced.

A prestorage method to measure neutron transmission of ultracold neutron guides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blau, B.; Daum, M.; Fertl, M.; Geltenbort, P.; Göltl, L.; Henneck, R.; Kirch, K.; Knecht, A.; Lauss, B.; Schmidt-Wellenburg, P.; Zsigmond, G.

2016-01-01

There are worldwide efforts to search for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Precision experiments using ultracold neutrons (UCN) require very high intensities of UCN. Efficient transport of UCN from the production volume to the experiment is therefore of great importance. We have developed a method using prestored UCN in order to quantify UCN transmission in tubular guides. This method simulates the final installation at the Paul Scherrer Institute's UCN source where neutrons are stored in an intermediate storage vessel serving three experimental ports. This method allowed us to qualify UCN guides for their intended use and compare their properties.

Losses and depolarization of ultracold neutrons on neutron guide and storage materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bondar, V.; Chesnevskaya, S.; Daum, M.; Franke, B.; Geltenbort, P.; Göltl, L.; Gutsmiedl, E.; Karch, J.; Kasprzak, M.; Kessler, G.; Kirch, K.; Koch, H.-C.; Kraft, A.; Lauer, T.; Lauss, B.; Pierre, E.; Pignol, G.; Reggiani, D.; Schmidt-Wellenburg, P.; Sobolev, Yu.; Zechlau, T.; Zsigmond, G.

2017-09-01

At Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) and Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), we have measured the losses and depolarization probabilities of ultracold neutrons on various materials: (i) nickel-molybdenum alloys with weight percentages of 82/18, 85/15, 88/12, 91/9, and 94/6 and natural nickel Ni100, (ii) nickel-vanadium NiV93/7, (iii) copper, and (iv) deuterated polystyrene (dPS). For the different samples, storage-time constants up to ˜460 s were obtained at room temperature. The corresponding loss parameters for ultracold neutrons, η , varied between 1.0 ×10-4 and 2.2 ×10-4 . All η values are in agreement with theory except for dPS, where anomalous losses at room temperature were established with four standard deviations. The depolarization probabilities per wall collision β measured with unprecedented sensitivity varied between 0.7 ×10-6 and 9.0 ×10-6 . Our depolarization result for copper differs from other experiments by 4.4 and 15.8 standard deviations. The β values of the paramagnetic NiMo alloys over molybdenum content show an increase of β with increasing Mo content. This is in disagreement with expectations from literature. Finally, ferromagnetic behavior of NiMo alloys at room temperature was found for molybdenum contents of 6.5 at.% or less and paramagnetic behavior for more than 8.7 at.%. This may contribute to solving an ambiguity in literature.

Optical control of resonant light transmission for an atom-cavity system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Arijit; Ray, Tridib; Sawant, Rahul V.; Sheikholeslami, G.; Rangwala, S. A.; Budker, D.

2015-04-01

We demonstrate the manipulation of transmitted light through an optical Fabry-Pérot cavity, built around a spectroscopy cell containing enriched rubidium vapor. Light resonant with the 87RbD2 (F =2 ,F =1 ) ↔F' manifold is controlled by the transverse intersection of the cavity mode by another resonant light beam. The cavity transmission can be suppressed or enhanced depending on the coupling of atomic states due to the intersecting beams. The extreme manifestation of the cavity-mode control is the precipitous destruction (negative logic switching) or buildup (positive logic switching) of the transmitted light intensity on intersection of the transverse control beam with the cavity mode. Both the steady-state and transient responses are experimentally investigated. The mechanism behind the change in cavity transmission is discussed in brief.

Nonadiabatic effects in ultracold molecules via anomalous linear and quadratic Zeeman shifts.

PubMed

McGuyer, B H; Osborn, C B; McDonald, M; Reinaudi, G; Skomorowski, W; Moszynski, R; Zelevinsky, T

2013-12-13

Anomalously large linear and quadratic Zeeman shifts are measured for weakly bound ultracold 88Sr2 molecules near the intercombination-line asymptote. Nonadiabatic Coriolis coupling and the nature of long-range molecular potentials explain how this effect arises and scales roughly cubically with the size of the molecule. The linear shifts yield nonadiabatic mixing angles of the molecular states. The quadratic shifts are sensitive to nearby opposite f-parity states and exhibit fourth-order corrections, providing a stringent test of a state-of-the-art ab initio model.

Image cloning beyond diffraction based on coherent population trapping in a hot rubidium vapor.

PubMed

Ding, Dong-Sheng; Zhou, Zhi-Yuan; Shi, Bao-Sen

2014-01-15

Following recent theoretical predictions, we report on an experimental realization of image cloning beyond usual diffraction, through the coherent population trapping (CPT) effect in a hot rubidium vapor. In our experiment, an alphabet letter image was transferred from a coupling field to a probe field, based on the CPT effect. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the cloned probe field carrying the image is transmitted without the usual diffraction. To our best knowledge, this is the first experimental report about image cloning beyond diffraction. We believe this mechanism, based on CPT, has definite and important applications in image metrology, image processing, and biomedical imaging.

Asymmetric diffraction by atomic gratings with optical PT symmetry in the Raman-Nath regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shui, Tao; Yang, Wen-Xing; Liu, Shaopeng; Li, Ling; Zhu, Zhonghu

2018-03-01

We propose and analyze an efficient scheme for the lopsided Raman-Nath diffraction of one-dimensional (1 D ) and two-dimensional (2 D ) atomic gratings with periodic parity-time (PT )-symmetric refractive index. The atomic grating is constructed by the cold-atomic vapor with two isotopes of rubidium, which is driven by weak probe field and space-dependent control field. Using experimentally achievable parameters, we identify the conditions under which PT -symmetric refractive index allows us to observe the lopsided Raman-Nath diffraction phenomenon and improve the diffraction efficiencies beyond what is achievable in a conventional atomic grating. The nontrivial atomic grating is a superposition of an amplitude grating and a phase grating. It is found that the lopsided Raman-Nath diffraction at the exceptional point (EP) of PT -symmetric grating originates from constructive and destructive interferences between the amplitude and phase gratings. Furthermore, we show that the PT -phase transition from unbroken to broken PT -symmetric regimes can modify the asymmetric distribution of the diffraction spectrum and that the diffraction efficiencies in the non-negative diffraction orders can be significantly enhanced when the atomic grating is pushed into a broken PT -symmetric phase. In addition, we also analyze the influence of the grating thickness on the diffraction spectrum. Our scheme may provide the possibility to design a gain-beam splitter with tunable splitting ratio and other optical components in integrated optics.

Atomic clocks and the continuous-time random-walk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Formichella, Valerio; Camparo, James; Tavella, Patrizia

2017-11-01

Atomic clocks play a fundamental role in many fields, most notably they generate Universal Coordinated Time and are at the heart of all global navigation satellite systems. Notwithstanding their excellent timekeeping performance, their output frequency does vary: it can display deterministic frequency drift; diverse continuous noise processes result in nonstationary clock noise (e.g., random-walk frequency noise, modelled as a Wiener process), and the clock frequency may display sudden changes (i.e., "jumps"). Typically, the clock's frequency instability is evaluated by the Allan or Hadamard variances, whose functional forms can identify the different operative noise processes. Here, we show that the Allan and Hadamard variances of a particular continuous-time random-walk, the compound Poisson process, have the same functional form as for a Wiener process with drift. The compound Poisson process, introduced as a model for observed frequency jumps, is an alternative to the Wiener process for modelling random walk frequency noise. This alternate model fits well the behavior of the rubidium clocks flying on GPS Block-IIR satellites. Further, starting from jump statistics, the model can be improved by considering a more general form of continuous-time random-walk, and this could bring new insights into the physics of atomic clocks.

Quantum phase transition from mixed atom-molecule phase to pure molecule phase: Characteristic scaling laws and Berry-curvature signature

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li Shengchang; Graduate School, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing 100088; Fu Libin

2011-08-15

We investigate the quantum phase transition in an ultracold atom-molecule conversion system. It is found that the system undergoes a phase transition from a mixed atom-molecule phase to a pure molecule phase when the energy bias exceeds a critical value. By constructing a coherent state as variational state, we get a good approximation of the quantum ground state of the system. Using this variational state, we deduce the critical point analytically. We then discuss the scaling laws characterizing the transition and obtain the corresponding critical exponents. Furthermore, the Berry curvature signature of the transition is studied. In particular, we findmore » that the derivatives of the Berry curvature with respect to total particle number intersect at the critical point. The underlying mechanism of this finding is discussed as well.« less

Ultracold Atoms in Optical Lattices

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-08-15

Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other...properties: Age and composition effects. Science 171, 567–571 (1971). 5. Moroz , L. V., Fisenko, A. V., Semjonova, L. F., Pieters, C. M. & Korotaeva

Improved Noninterferometric Test of Collapse Models Using Ultracold Cantilevers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinante, A.; Mezzena, R.; Falferi, P.; Carlesso, M.; Bassi, A.

2017-09-01

Spontaneous collapse models predict that a weak force noise acts on any mechanical system, as a consequence of the collapse of the wave function. Significant upper limits on the collapse rate have been recently inferred from precision mechanical experiments, such as ultracold cantilevers and the space mission LISA Pathfinder. Here, we report new results from an experiment based on a high-Q cantilever cooled to millikelvin temperatures, which is potentially able to improve the current bounds on the continuous spontaneous localization (CSL) model by 1 order of magnitude. High accuracy measurements of the cantilever thermal fluctuations reveal a nonthermal force noise of unknown origin. This excess noise is compatible with the CSL heating predicted by Adler. Several physical mechanisms able to explain the observed noise have been ruled out.

Universal relations of an ultracold Fermi gas with arbitrary spin-orbit coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jie, Jianwen; Qi, Ran; Zhang, Peng

2018-05-01

We derive the universal relations for an ultracold two-component Fermi gas with a spin-orbit coupling (SOC) ∑α,β =x ,y ,zλα βσαpβ , where px ,y ,z and σx ,y ,z are the single-atom momentum and Pauli operators for pseudospin, respectively, and the SOC intensity λα β could take an arbitrary value. We consider the system with an s -wave short-range interspecies interaction, and ignore the SOC-induced modification for the value of the scattering length. Using the first-quantized approach developed by Tan [S. Tan, Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 145302 (2011), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.145302], we obtain the short-range and high-momentum expansions for the one-body real-space correlation function and momentum distribution function, respectively. For our system these functions are a 2 ×2 matrix in the pseudospin basis. We find that the leading-order (1 /k4 ) behavior of the diagonal elements of the momentum distribution function, i.e., n↑↑(k ) and n↓↓(k ) , are not modified by the SOC. However, the SOC can significantly modify the large-k behaviors of the distribution difference δ n (k ) ≡n↑↑(k ) -n↓↓(k ) as well as the nondiagonal elements of the momentum distribution function, i.e., n↑↓(k ) and n↓↑(k ) . In the absence of the SOC, the leading order of δ n (k ) , n↑↓(k ) , and n↓↑(k ) is O (1 /k6) . When SOC appears, it can induce a term on the order of 1 /k5 for these elements. We further derive the adiabatic relation and the energy functional. Our results show that the SOC can induce an additional term in the energy functional, which describes the contribution from the SOC to the total energy. In addition, the form of the adiabatic relation for our system is not modified by the SOC. Our results are applicable for the systems with any type of single-atom trapping potential, which could be either diagonal or nondiagonal in the pseudospin basis.

Ultrafast laser control of backward superfluorescence towards standoff sensing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ariunbold, Gombojav O.; National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 210646; Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798

2014-01-13

We study infrared backward cooperative emission in a rubidium vapor induced by ultrafast two-photon optical excitations. The laser coherent control of the backward emission is demonstrated by using a pair of 100 fs pulses with a variable time delay. The temporal variation (quantum beat) of the backward beam intensity due to interference of atomic transitions in the rubidium atomic level system 5S-5P-5D is produced and controlled. Based on the obtained experimental results, we discuss possible applications of the developed approach for creation of an effective “guide star” in the sodium atomic layer in the upper atmosphere (mesosphere)

Analytical results for the time-dependent current density distribution of expanding ultracold gases after a sudden change of the confining potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boumaza, R.; Bencheikh, K.

2017-12-01

Using the so-called operator product expansion to lowest order, we extend the work in Campbell et al (2015 Phys. Rev. Lett 114 125302) by deriving a simple analytical expression for the long-time asymptotic one-body reduced density matrix during free expansion for a one-dimensional system of bosons with large atom number interacting through a repulsive delta potential initially confined by a potential well. This density matrix allows direct access to the momentum distribution and also to the mass current density. For initially confining power-law potentials we give explicit expressions, in the limits of very weak and very strong interaction, for the current density distributions during the free expansion. In the second part of the work we consider the expansion of ultracold gas from a confining harmonic trap to another harmonic trap with a different frequency. For the case of a quantum impenetrable gas of bosons (a Tonks-Girardeau gas) with a given atom number, we present an exact analytical expression for the mass current distribution (mass transport) after release from one harmonic trap to another harmonic trap. It is shown that, for a harmonically quenched Tonks-Girardeau gas, the current distribution is a suitable collective observable and under the weak quench regime, it exhibits oscillations at the same frequencies as those recently predicted for the peak momentum distribution in the breathing mode. The analysis is extended to other possible quenched systems.

Simultaneous trapping of rubidium-85 and rubidium-87 in a far off resonant trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorges, Anthony R.

The experiments described in this thesis were focused on the physics of simultaneous trapping of 85Rb and 87 Rb into a Far Off Resonant Trap (FORT), with a view towards the implementation of a nonevaporative cooling scheme. Atoms were first trapped in a Magneto Optical Trap (MOT) and from there loaded into the FORT. We investigated the effects of loading the FORT from a MOT vs. an optical molasses; observing that the molasses significantly improved the trapped atom number. The ultimate number of atoms trapped is determined by a balance between efficient laser cooling into the FORT and light-assisted collisional losses from the FORT. We have studied and measured the loss rates associated with light-assisted collisions for our FORT, measuring both heteronuclear and homonuclear collisions. It was discovered that induced long range dipole-dipole interactions between 85Rb and 87Rb have a significant impact on FORT loading. This interaction interferes with the loading into the trap and thus limits the number of atoms which can be trapped in the FORT under simultaneous load conditions. Despite this limitation, all required experimental parameters for our future measurements have been met. In addition to these FORT studies, we have found a technique which can successfully mitigate the effects of reabsorption in optically thick clouds, which is a limitation to the ultimate temperature an atom cloud will reach during light-based cooling. Planned future measurements for this project include the creation of a variable aspect ratio FORT; along with investigating collision assisted Zeeman cooling.

Geometric phase effects in ultracold collisions of H/D with rotationally excited HD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kendrick, Brian K.; Croft, James F. E.; Hazra, Jisha; Balakrishnan, N.

2017-04-01

Quantum reactive scattering calculations for the H/D + HD(v = 4 , j = 1 , 2) -> H/D + HD(v', j') and H + H2(v = 4 , j = 1 , 2) -> H + H2(v', j') exchange reactions are presented for the ground electronic state of H3. A numerically exact three-dimensional time-independent scattering method based on hyperspherical coordinates is used to compute rotationally resolved reaction cross sections and non-thermal rate coefficients for collision energies between 1 μK and 100 K . The geometric (Berry) phase associated with the D3h conical intersection in H3 is included using a U(1) vector (gauge) potential approach. It is shown that the geometric phase leads to a significant (up to three orders of magnitude) enhancement or suppression of the ultracold reaction rate coefficients depending upon whether the interference between the reaction pathways encircling the conical intersection is constructive or destructive. The nature of the interference is governed by a newly discovered mechanism which leads to an effective quantization of the ultracold scattering phase shifts. Interesting behavior due to rotational excitation of the HD and H2 is observed which might be exploited by experimentalists to control the reaction outcome. This work was supported in part by NSF Grant PHY-1505557 (N.B.) and ARO MURI Grant No. W911NF-12-1-0476 (N.B.), and DOE LDRD Grant No. 20170221ER (B.K.).

First measurement of the neutron beta asymmetry with ultracold neutrons.

PubMed

Pattie, R W; Anaya, J; Back, H O; Boissevain, J G; Bowles, T J; Broussard, L J; Carr, R; Clark, D J; Currie, S; Du, S; Filippone, B W; Geltenbort, P; García, A; Hawari, A; Hickerson, K P; Hill, R; Hino, M; Hoedl, S A; Hogan, G E; Holley, A T; Ito, T M; Kawai, T; Kirch, K; Kitagaki, S; Lamoreaux, S K; Liu, C-Y; Liu, J; Makela, M; Mammei, R R; Martin, J W; Melconian, D; Meier, N; Mendenhall, M P; Morris, C L; Mortensen, R; Pichlmaier, A; Pitt, M L; Plaster, B; Ramsey, J C; Rios, R; Sabourov, K; Sallaska, A L; Saunders, A; Schmid, R; Seestrom, S; Servicky, C; Sjue, S K L; Smith, D; Sondheim, W E; Tatar, E; Teasdale, W; Terai, C; Tipton, B; Utsuro, M; Vogelaar, R B; Wehring, B W; Xu, Y P; Young, A R; Yuan, J

2009-01-09

We report the first measurement of an angular correlation parameter in neutron beta decay using polarized ultracold neutrons (UCN). We utilize UCN with energies below about 200 neV, which we guide and store for approximately 30 s in a Cu decay volume. The interaction of the neutron magnetic dipole moment with a static 7 T field external to the decay volume provides a 420 neV potential energy barrier to the spin state parallel to the field, polarizing the UCN before they pass through an adiabatic fast passage spin flipper and enter a decay volume, situated within a 1 T field in a 2x2pi solenoidal spectrometer. We determine a value for the beta-asymmetry parameter A_{0}=-0.1138+/-0.0046+/-0.0021.

Focusing Light Beams To Improve Atomic-Vapor Optical Buffers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strekalov, Dmitry; Matsko, Andrey; Savchenkov, Anatoliy

2010-01-01

Specially designed focusing of light beams has been proposed as a means of improving the performances of optical buffers based on cells containing hot atomic vapors (e.g., rubidium vapor). There is also a companion proposal to improve performance by use of incoherent optical pumping under suitable conditions. Regarding the proposal to use focusing: The utility of atomic-vapor optical buffers as optical storage and processing devices has been severely limited by nonuniform spatial distributions of intensity in optical beams, arising from absorption of the beams as they propagate in atomic-vapor cells. Such nonuniformity makes it impossible to optimize the physical conditions throughout a cell, thereby making it impossible to optimize the performance of the cell as an optical buffer. In practical terms simplified for the sake of brevity, "to optimize" as used here means to design the cell so as to maximize the group delay of an optical pulse while keeping the absorption and distortion of the pulse reasonably small. Regarding the proposal to use incoherent optical pumping: For reasons too complex to describe here, residual absorption of light is one of the main impediments to achievement of desirably long group delays in hot atomic vapors. The present proposal is directed toward suppressing residual absorption of light. The idea of improving the performance of slow-light optical buffers by use of incoherent pumping overlaps somewhat with the basic idea of Raman-based slow-light systems. However, prior studies of those systems did not quantitatively answer the question of whether the performance of an atomic vapor or other medium that exhibits electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) with Raman gain is superior to that of a medium that exhibits EIT without Raman gain.

The MCUCN simulation code for ultracold neutron physics