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arXiv:0805.3854 · Physical Review A

Single-atom detection with optical cavities

Rachel Poldy, B. C. Buchler, J. D. Close

Published Jul 31, 2008• 15 citations
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Abstract

We present a thorough analysis of single-atom detection using optical cavities. The large set of parameters that influence the signal-to-noise ratio for cavity detection is considered, with an emphasis on detunings, probe power, cavity finesse, and photon detection schemes. Real device operating restrictions for single photon counting modules and standard photodiodes are included in our discussion, with heterodyne detection emerging as the clearly favorable technique, particularly for detuned detection at high power.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.78.013640

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We present a thorough analysis of single-atom detection using optical cavities. The large set of parameters that influence the signal-to-noise ratio for cavity detection is considered, with an emphasis on detunings, probe power, cavity finesse, and photon detection schemes. Real device operating restrictions for single photon counting modules and standard photodiodes are included in our discussion, with heterodyne detection emerging as the clearly favorable technique, particularly for detuned detection at high power.
We numerically analyze the quantum efficiency and dark noise of a cavity-based single-atom detector, with particular emphasis on the ability to measure number squeezing in an atom-laser beam. We consider the influence of the electric-dipole force on an atom in a red-detuned detection beam and discuss the much improved detection efficiency for detuned probe beams, with respect to resonant probes, resulting from this influence. Cavities allow real-time monitoring of atomic flux, with single-atom resolution, but they are much slower than their analog in photonics (the avalanche photodiode), so flux limits must be imposed. The proposed detector operates at a maximum flux of 5000 atoms/second, but with a shot-noise clearance of up to 23 dB, allowing the full advantage afforded by number squeezing to be observed.
Summary form only given. The strong atom-photon coupling generated inside high-finesse optical micro cavity lets us detect a single atom trajectory in real time. Such a strong coupling is a candidate for trapping a single atom with a single photon. Dynamics of trapped atoms can be observed in situ and in real time by detecting intensity change on the transmission of a blue-shifted laser beam. We cooled down and trapped rubidium atoms by using conventional cell magneto optical trap (MOT) and launched them into the micro optical cavity which locates 35 mm above the MOT. By using this signal as trigger and changing the laser frequency, it is, in principle, possible to trap the atom in the cavity.
The combination of cold atoms and large coherent coupling enables investigations in a new regime in cavity QED with single-atom trajectories monitored in real time with high signal-to-noise ratio. The underlying ``vacuum-Rabi'' splitting is clearly reflected in the frequency dependence of atomic transit signals recorded atom by atom, with evidence for mechanical light forces for intracavity photon number <1<1<1. The nonlinear optical response of one atom in a cavity is observed to be in accord with the one-atom quantum theory but at variance with semiclassical predictions.
Two recent experiments are discussed which demonstrate real-time trapping and monitoring of single atoms within a high-finesse optical resonator. A single atom moving within the resonator generates large variations in the transmission of a weak probe laser, which are recorded in real time. These cavity QED signals are used to trigger ON a confining potential to trap the atom. In the first experiment, the confining potential is provided by the single-photon forces associated with the cavity QED interaction. An inversion algorithm allows individual atom trajectories to be reconstructed from the record of cavity transmission, and reveals single atoms bound in orbit by the mechanical forces associated with single photons. In a second experiment, an additional classical standing-wave dipole trap provides the trapping, enabling a 28 ms trap lifetime for single strongly coupled atoms.
Cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), the system of a single atom interacting with a single mode of a high finesse optical resonator, has tremendous potential for use in quantum logic, quantum information processing, and in enabling observation of quantum mechanical effects in the laboratory. The work of this thesis demonstrates a number of steps toward realizing these goals, by employing an experimental system with the strongest atom-field coupling achieved to date in optical cavity QED. The effects of strong coupling in cavity QED are studied for single cold atoms measured one at a time, in real time. The passage of single atoms through the cavity is employed to map out the frequency response of the system, and to demonstrate that quantum rather than semiclassical theory provides the correct theoretical model. The mechanical effects of strong coupling on single atoms are explored, these experiments demonstrating the first trapping of single atoms with single photons. Additionally, strong coupling enables high signal-to-noise ratio for monitoring atomic position at single photon field strengths; this capability is employed to investigate the motion of atoms trapped within the cavity. The transmitted cavity field is used to reconstruct the trajectories of single atoms, thereby realizing a new form of microscopy - the Atom-Cavity Microscope. Technical developments necessary to create the cavities used in this experiment are detailed. Ideas for future extensions to the experiment are proposed; a zero light-shift dipole force trap, and measurement of photon statistics of a single strongly coupled atom (which realizes a photon blockade device) are discussed.
Summary form only given. We observe the quantized motion of single atoms strongly coupled to a high-finesse optical cavity and investigate dynamics of cavity-assisted atom cooling. Single caesium atoms are trapped in a blue-detuned standing-wave intracavity dipole trap, formed by a lock laser which is used to stabilize the cavity resonance frequency. A probe laser is coupled into the cavity mode and its transmission spectrum is monitored by means of photon-counting heterodyne spectroscopy [2].Measured heterodyne spectra of single atoms in the cavity are shown in Fig. 1 for two different lock-laser intensities and compared with theoretical models. The motional Raman sidebands are offset from the carrier beat signal at 1 MHz by the atomic vibrational frequency (±ν). They show asymmetric lineshapes due to the anharmonicity of the dipole potential.We investigate the dependence of the positions and lineshapes of the motional Raman sidebands on experimantal parameters such as the cavity-atom detuning, and lock-laser intensity. Information on the atomic temperature, cooling and heating rates, as well as the atomic position in the cavity with respect to an antinode of the cavity probe field are found by comparing the observed spectra with theoretical predictions [1]. In addition, this technique can also be used to analyze the cooling dynamics of a cavity-assisted EIT cooling scheme which has been recently studied and demonstrated in [3,4].