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arXiv:1008.1910 · Physical Review Letters

Highly Efficient State-Selective Submicrosecond Photoionization Detection of Single Atoms

Florian Henkel, Michael Krug, Julian Hofmann, Wenjamin Rosenfeld, M. Weber, Harald Weinfurter

Published Dec 13, 2010• 35 citations
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Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate a detection scheme suitable for state analysis of single optically trapped atoms in less than 1 μs with an overall detection efficiency η exceeding 98%. The method is based on hyperfine-state-selective photoionization and subsequent registration of the correlated photoion-electron pairs by coincidence counting via two opposing channel electron multipliers. The scheme enables the calibration of absolute detection efficiencies and might be a key ingredient for future quantum information applications or precision spectroscopy of ultracold atoms.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.105.253001

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We experimentally demonstrate a detection scheme suitable for state analysis of single optically trapped atoms in less than 1 μs with an overall detection efficiency η exceeding 98%. The method is based on hyperfine-state-selective photoionization and subsequent registration of the correlated photoion-electron pairs by coincidence counting via two opposing channel electron multipliers. The scheme enables the calibration of absolute detection efficiencies and might be a key ingredient for future quantum information applications or precision spectroscopy of ultracold atoms.
Fast and efficient detection of single atoms is a universal requirement concerning modern experiments in atom physics, quantum optics, and precision spectroscopy. In particular for future quantum information and quantum communication technologies, the efficient readout of qubit states encoded in single atoms or ions is an elementary prerequisite. The rapid development in the eld of quantum optics and atom optics in the recent years has enabled to prepare individual atoms as quantum memories or arrays of single atoms as qubit registers. With such systems, the implementation of quantum computation or quantum communication protocols seems feasible. This thesis describes a novel detection scheme which enables fast and efficient state analysis of single neutral atoms. The detection scheme is based on photoionisation and consists of two parts: the hyperfine-state selective photoionisation of single atoms and the registration of the generated photoion-electron pairs via two channel electron multipliers (CEMs). In this work, both parts were investigated in two separate experiments. For the first step, a photoionisation probability of p_ion = 0.991 within an ionisation time of t_ion = 386 ns is achieved for a single 87Rb-atom in an optical dipole trap. For the second part, a compact detection system for the ionisation fragments was developed consisting of two opposing CEM detectors. Measurements show that single neutral atoms can be detected via their ionisation fragments with a detection efficiency of eta_atom = 0.991 within a detection time of t_det = 415.5 ns. In a future combined setup, this will allow the state-selective readout of optically trapped, single neutral 87Rb-atoms via photoionisation detection with an estimated detection efficiency eta = 0.982 and a detection time of t_tot = 802 ns. Although initially developed for single 87Rb-atoms, the concept of photoionisation detection is in principle generally applicable to any atomic or molecular species. As efficient readout unit for single atoms or even ions, it might represent a considerable alternative to conventional detection methods due to the high optical access and the large sensitive volume of the CEM detection system. Additionally, its spatial selectivity makes it particularly suited for the readout of single atomic qubit sites in arrays of neutral atoms as required in future applications such as the quantum-repeater or quantum computation with neutral atoms. The obtained high detection efficiency eta and fast detection time t_tot of the new detection method fullfill the demanding detector requirements for a future loophole-free test of Bell's inequality under strict Einstein locality conditions using two optically trapped, entangled 87Rb-atoms at remote locations. In such a configuration, the locality and the detection loophole can be simultaneously closed in one experiment.
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We experimentally investigate a scheme for detecting single atoms magnetically trapped on an atom chip. The detector is based on the photoionization of atoms and the subsequent detection of the generated ions. We describe the characterization of the ion detector with emphasis on its calibration via the correlation of ions with simultaneously generated electrons. A detection efficiency of $47.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.6\text{ }%$ is measured, which is useful for single-atom detection, and close to the limit allowing atom counting with sub-Poissonian uncertainty.
Single magnetically trapped 87Rb^{87}\text{R}\text{b}87Rb atoms on an atom chip are detected with $67\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}12\text{ }%$ efficiency by three photon ionization and subsequent ion detection in a channel electron multiplier. State selective detection of single atoms and high-resolution optical spectroscopy on trapped atom clouds are demonstrated. The temperature and particle density of a trapped atomic gas is monitored in situ and in real time with negligible atom loss due to ionization below 5%.
We experimentally demonstrate optical spectroscopy of magnetically trapped atoms on an atom chip. High resolution optical spectra of individual trapped clouds are recorded within a few hundred milliseconds. Detection sensitivities close to the single atom level are obtained by photoionization of the excited atoms and subsequent ion detection with a channel electron multiplier. Temperature and decay rates of the trapped atomic cloud can be monitored in real time for several seconds with only little detection losses. The spectrometer can be used for investigations of ultracold atomic mixtures and for the development of interferometric quantum sensors on atom chips.