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arXiv:1911.02708 · New Journal of Physics

Light-shift spectroscopy of optically trapped atomic ensembles

Ashby P Hilton, Andre Nicholas Luiten, Philip S Light

Published Feb 11, 2020• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract We develop a method for extracting the physical parameters of interest for a conventional dipole-trapped cold atomic ensemble. This technique uses the spatially dependent ac-Stark shift of the trap itself to project the atomic distribution onto a light-shift broadened transmission spectrum. We develop a model that connects the atomic distribution with the expected transmission spectrum. We then demonstrate the utility of the technique by deriving the temperature, trap depth, lifetime, and trapped atom number from data that was taken in a single shot experimental measurement.

DOI
10.1088/1367-2630/ab753a

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Abstract We develop a method for extracting the physical parameters of interest for a conventional dipole-trapped cold atomic ensemble. This technique uses the spatially dependent ac-Stark shift of the trap itself to project the atomic distribution onto a light-shift broadened transmission spectrum. We develop a model that connects the atomic distribution with the expected transmission spectrum. We then demonstrate the utility of the technique by deriving the temperature, trap depth, lifetime, and trapped atom number from data that was taken in a single shot experimental measurement.
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We measure the ac Stark shifts of the $5{S}_{1/2},F=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5{P}_{3/2},{F}^{\ensuremath{'}}=3$ transitions of individual optically trapped 87{}^{87}87Rb atoms using a nondestructive detection technique that allows us to measure the fluorescent signal of one and the same atom for over 60 s. These measurements allow the efficient and rapid characterization of single-atom traps that is required for many coherent quantum information protocols. Although this method is demonstrated using a single-atom trap, the concept is readily extended to resolvable atomic arrays.
In this work we characterize a state-insensitive dipole trap for cold cesium atoms, as realized by tightly focusing a single running laser beam at the magic wavelength. The use of trapping light at the magic wavelength of 935.6935.6935.6 nm resulted in the same ac Stark shift for the 6S1/2{}^{6}{S}_{1/2}6S1/2​ ground state and the 6P3/2{}^{6}{P}_{3/2}6P3/2​ excited state. A complete characterization of the trap is given, which includes the dependence of the lifetime on the trap depth, an analysis of the important role played by a depumper beam, and a comparison with dipole trapping at different (nonmagic) wavelengths. In particular, we measured the differential light shift of the relevant optical transition as a function of the trapping light wavelength, and showed that it becomes zero at the magic wavelength. Our results are compared to previous realizations of state-insensitive dipole traps for cesium atoms. We also discuss the possible role of the state-insensitive trap, its limitations, and possible developments for the study of ground-state quantum coherence phenomena and related applications.
Abstract In this work, the effect of AC-Stark shift of atomic energy levels in an optical dipole trap (ODT) on in situ absorption imaging of the trapped atoms has been investigated. The Stark shift of various energy levels of 87 Rb atoms relevant for trapping in the optical dipole trap (ODT) has been calculated. The spatially varying AC-Stark shift of energy levels due to ODT beam results in position dependent absorption cross-section of the atom at the absorption probe laser wavelength, which significantly modifies the measured optical density (OD) of the trapped atom cloud during the in situ absorption imaging. We have estimated the number of atoms trapped in the ODT taking AC-Stark shift into account. The estimated numbers are found to be higher at higher ODT beam power, making a qualitative agreement with larger trap depth at higher ODT beam power. This work can be particularly useful in estimating the in situ loss rate of atoms from the trap during the evaporative cooling of the trapped atom cloud.