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arXiv:1702.01860 · Review of Scientific Instruments

A versatile apparatus for two-dimensional atomtronic quantum simulation

Thomas Alan Haase, D. H. White, D. J. Brown, I. Herrera, M. D. Hoogerland

Published Nov 1, 2017• 11 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report on the implementation of a novel optical setup for generating high-resolution customizable potentials to address ultracold bosonic atoms in two dimensions. Two key features are developed for this purpose. The customizable potential is produced with a direct image of a spatial light modulator, conducted with an in-vacuum imaging system of high numerical aperture. Custom potentials are drawn over an area of 600×400 μm with a resolution of 0.9 μm. The second development is a two-dimensional planar trap for atoms with an aspect ratio of 900 and spatial extent of Rayleigh range 1.6 × 1.6 mm, providing near-ballistic in-planar movement. We characterize the setup and present a brief catalog of experiments to highlight the versatility of the system.

DOI
10.1063/1.5009584

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This thesis builds upon the concept of quantum simulation, where an inherently quantum system functions as an analogue computer. The programming of the dynamics in the simulator is done through the controlled engineering of the Hamiltonian that describes the time evolution of an ensemble of ultracold atoms. This enables multiple systems of interest to be studied in a controllable environment, providing an alternative to the sought after 'quantum computer'. The quantum simulator developed at the University of Auckland is presented, highlighting the elements used to provide the necessary degree of control over the system dynamics. Furthermore, we present a series of transmissive experiments conducted on a twodimensional degenerate quantum gas of 87Rb designed to study quantum transport eects. Starting from a Bose-Einstein condensate, the atoms are loaded into a twodimensional trap with a superimposed customizable optical potential. created by imaging a spatial light modulator. We focus on a potential consisting of two reservoirs and a connecting channel that functions as an atomic waveguide. An 'atomtronic' approach to the study of transport properties in the potential allows us to model the dynamics as an analogous electronic system. Addition of point-like disorder in the potential enables the study of Anderson localization eects through the measurement of an eective channel resistance. The observed dynamics of the atomic conductance in long channels is consistent with quantum interference eects, showing signatures of two-dimensional Anderson localization.

•Jan 1, 2019•1 citation
We report on the implementation of a novel optical setup for generating high-resolution customizable potentials to address ultracold bosonic atoms in two dimensions. Two key features are developed for this purpose. The customizable potential is produced with a direct image of a spatial light modulator, conducted with an in-vacuum imaging system of high numerical aperture. Custom potentials are drawn over an area of 600×400 μm with a resolution of 0.9 μm. The second development is a two-dimensional planar trap for atoms with an aspect ratio of 900 and spatial extent of Rayleigh range 1.6 × 1.6 mm, providing near-ballistic in-planar movement. We characterize the setup and present a brief catalog of experiments to highlight the versatility of the system.
We report on the implementation of a novel optical setup for generating high-resolution customizable potentials to address ultracold bosonic atoms in 2D. Two key features are developed for this purpose. The customizable potential is produced with a direct image of a spatial light modulator, conducted with an in-vacuum imaging system of high numerical aperture. Custom potentials are drawn over an area of 600 ×\times× 400 {\mu}m with a spot-size of 1 {\mu}m. The second development is a two-dimensional planar trap for atoms with an aspect ratio of 900 and spatial extent of Rayleigh range 1.6 ×\times× 1.6 mm, providing near-ballistic in-planar movement. We characterize the setup and present a brief catalog of experiments to highlight the versatility of the system.
Programable spatial light modulators (SLMs) have significantly advanced the configurable optical trapping of particles. Typically, these devices are utilized in the Fourier plane of an optical system, but direct imaging of an amplitude pattern can potentially result in increased simplicity and computational speed. Here we demonstrate high-resolution direct imaging of a digital micromirror device (DMD) at high numerical apertures (NA), which we apply to the optical trapping of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). We utilise a (1200 x 1920) pixel DMD and commercially available 0.45 NA microscope objectives, finding that atoms confined in a hybrid optical/magnetic or all-optical potential can be patterned using repulsive blue-detuned (532 nm) light with 630(10) nm full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) resolution, within 5% of the diffraction limit. The result is near arbitrary control of the density the BEC without the need for expensive custom optics. We also introduce the technique of time-averaged DMD potentials, demonstrating the ability to produce multiple grayscale levels with minimal heating of the atomic cloud, by utilising the high switching speed (20 kHz maximum) of the DMD. These techniques will enable the realization and control of diverse optical potentials for superfluid dynamics and atomtronics applications with quantum gases. The performance of this system in a direct imaging configuration has wider application for optical trapping at non-trivial NAs.
The development of novel trapping potentials for degenerate quantum gases has been an important factor driving experimental progress in the field. The introduction of spatial light modulators (SLMs) into quantum gas laboratories means that a range of configurable geometries are now possible. Here we demonstrate the production of arbitrary and dynamic high-resolution traps for Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) using a (1200 x 1920) pixel digital-micromirror device (DMD) and commercially available microscope objectives. Direct imaging of the DMD provides significant advantages over phase-based SLMs, while still providing high resolution projected patterns. We find that atoms confined in a hybrid optical/magnetic or all-optical potential can be patterned using repulsive blue- detuned (532 nm) light with 630(10) nm full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) resolution, while imaging at 780 nm similarly achieves 960(80) nm resolution FWHM, within 5% and 8% of the diffraction limit respectively. This performance is > 7 times improved over previously reported DMD trapping. The result is near arbitrary control of the atomic distribution over the spatial extent of the BEC trapping volume. Furthermore, we produce time-averaged potentials with the DMD, demonstrating the ability to produce multiple grayscale levels with minimal heating of the atomic cloud. These techniques, along with the high level of dynamic control afforded by DMDs, will enable the realization and control of diverse optical potentials for superfluid dynamics and atomtronics applications with quantum gases.
The implementation of spatial light modulators (SLMs) in quantum gas experiments has allowed the realization of ever more complex trapping geometries. As ultracold atoms may be sensitive to perturbations of the trapping potential at the 1% level, the high contrast ratios of digital micromirror devices are proving advantageous for use in optical trapping. Our laboratory pursues configurable traps based on the direct (nearly diffraction limited) imaging of a digital micromirror device (DMD). We achieve highly flexible potentials using commercially available microscope objectives external to our vacuum chamber that directly project the DMD to the atom plane, producing optical traps over an area of 130 μm × 200 μm, with a resolution of 630(10) nm full width at half maximum (FWHM) at 532 nm illumination. We combine these potentials with a horizontally propagating TEM00 or TEM01 Hermite-Gaussian optical sheet that provides vertical confinement. With the dynamic control enabled by the maximum full-frame rate of 20 KHz and on-board storage of <13,000 frames of the DMD, we study the transport of atoms and superfluid dynamics in configurable trapping geometries. Using the fast frame rate of the DMD we also produce intermediate grey levels that complement half-toning techniques for producing optimized grayscale patterns.
We report on the realization and characterization of optical potentials for ultracold atoms using a superluminescent diode. The light emitted by this class of diodes is characterized by high spatial coherence but low temporal coherence. On the one hand, this implies that it follows Gaussian propagation similar to lasers, allowing for high intensities and well-collimated beams. On the other, it significantly reduces those interference effects that lead to severe distortions in imaging. By using a high-resolution optical setup, we produce patterned optical potentials with a digital micromirror device and demonstrate that the quality of the patterns produced by our superluminescent diode is consistently and substantially higher than those produced by our laser. We show that the resulting optical potentials can be used to arrange the atoms in arbitrary structures and manipulate them dynamically. Our results can open new opportunities in the fields of quantum simulations and atomtronics.
This thesis builds upon the concept of quantum simulation, where an inherently quantum system functions as an analogue computer. The programming of the dynamics in the simulator is done through the controlled engineering of the Hamiltonian that describes the time evolution of an ensemble of ultracold atoms. This enables multiple systems of interest to be studied in a controllable environment, providing an alternative to the sought after 'quantum computer'. The quantum simulator developed at the University of Auckland is presented, highlighting the elements used to provide the necessary degree of control over the system dynamics. Furthermore, we present a series of transmissive experiments conducted on a twodimensional degenerate quantum gas of 87Rb designed to study quantum transport eects. Starting from a Bose-Einstein condensate, the atoms are loaded into a twodimensional trap with a superimposed customizable optical potential. created by imaging a spatial light modulator. We focus on a potential consisting of two reservoirs and a connecting channel that functions as an atomic waveguide. An 'atomtronic' approach to the study of transport properties in the potential allows us to model the dynamics as an analogous electronic system. Addition of point-like disorder in the potential enables the study of Anderson localization eects through the measurement of an eective channel resistance. The observed dynamics of the atomic conductance in long channels is consistent with quantum interference eects, showing signatures of two-dimensional Anderson localization.