Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2201.01589 · Measurement Science and Technology

Efficient quantum state preparation using Stern–Gerlach effect on cold atoms

Vivek Singh, Vibhuti Bhushan Tiwari, Satya Ram Mishra

Published Jun 14, 2022• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract The Zeeman hyperfine state dependent force in a Stern–Gerlach experiment has been exploited to separate and quantitatively detect atoms in different Zeeman hyperfine states in a cold atom cloud of 87 Rb atoms. Using this atomic state detection technique, the quantum state of the atom cloud has been prepared with high efficiency for magnetic trapping application.

DOI
10.1088/1361-6501/ac78c4

Related papers

Magnetic trapping, evaporative cooling and Bose-Einstein condensation

Christopher J. Foot

Abstract In their famous experiment, Otto Stern and Walter Gerlach used the force on an atom as it passed through a strong inhomogeneous magnetic field to separate the spin states in a thermal atomic beam. Magnetic trapping uses exactly the same force, but for cold atoms the force produced by a system of magnetic field coils bends the trajectories right around so that low-energy atoms remain within a small region close to the centre of the trap.

•Nov 25, 2004•0 citations

Nonlinear focusing of atom clouds by a short-focal-length magnetic lens

Jing Wang, Ziqian Wang, Shan Hua +14 more

Utilizing the Stern-Gerlach effect, magnetic lenses are used to focus atom clouds, reducing their dimensions, and boosting the central cloud density. In this research, a theoretical model based on nonlinear Zeeman splitting in high-intensity magnetic fields is established to explore the nonlinear focusing of a tightly focused magnetic lens. The research concentrates on the motion and focusing of 87 Rb atoms in various Zeeman substates within an atom fountain under pulsed magnetic fields and establishes a correlation between the field curvature and the effective focal length. The nonlinear model has been validated in the experiment conducted in the fountain. Atoms in different Zeeman substates were selectively focused by the magnetic lens which has applications in precise manipulation of atoms including collimation, concentration, and spatial filtering. A spatial filter based on this method has been deployed in the phase-shear atomic interferometer to prepare an atom cloud in a pure Zeeman substate.

Optics Express•Jun 13, 2025•0 citations

Spin-polarized cold cloud of thulium atoms

V. V. Tsyganok, Vladimir Khlebnikov, D. A. Pershin +1 more

We prepared about half-million thulium atoms at state with the lowest magnetic sublevel in optical dipole trap. A high purity of polarization of atomic cloud is well confirmed by the Stern- Gerlach-type experiment.

International Conference Laser Optics (ICLO)•Jun 1, 2018•0 citations

Atomic spatial coherence monitoring and engineering with magnetic fields

O. Gorceix, É. Maréchal, T. Miossec +4 more

Summary form only given. Spatial coherences are measured by means of a new atom interferometry technique. First, a coherent superposition of the Zeeman components of the atom is built by means of well-controlled magnetic interactions. Second, pulsed inhomogeneous magnetic fields are employed to coherently separate and reunite the atomic substates via the Stern-Gerlach induced forces. Finally, atomic interference fringes are recorded on the state-selected outcoming sample by changing the spatial separation. This method bears strong similarities with the Fourier-transform spectroscopy of light. The interferogram visibility curve yields the atom sample spatial coherences. For example, when the applied magnetic gradients are parallel to the atom trajectory, one gets the coherence length by varying the overlap of the separated wavepackets. Several experiments on cold cesium atoms have been performed and are presented. Furthermore, we have used our magnetic cooling method to prepare the atom cloud upstream from the interferometer. Large enhancements of the coherence length are demonstrated.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Aug 29, 2005•0 citations

Spatial filtering of Zeeman sub-states in an atomic fountain

Xiaolong Wang, Gewen Sun, Bing Cheng +12 more

In an atomic fountain, atoms in motion can be spatially separated into discrete Zeeman sub-states by magnetically induced Stern-Gerlach effect. With resonant light pulses acting as a shutter, specific states are selected for subsequent experiments. Such separation-selection process in atomic optics is the analogue of a spatial filter in physical optics which selects and purifies the modes of light. This technique is demonstrated by injecting a pulsed current in a circular coil around a vertical atomic fountain, separating the pre-cooled Rubidium atoms by a distance of centimeters in between, and filtering each single sub-state with block pulses. The filtered atoms after the process is highly purified in the desired sub-state. The apparatus of the atomic spatial filter is adaptable in atomic optics and can be integrated into the high-vacuum chamber of an atomic fountain.

Optics Express•May 30, 2022•1 citation

Controlling the dimensionality of the Stern-Gerlach effect for neutral atom manipulation

Kevin Melin

The Stern-Gerlach experiment performed in 1922 is a seminal work of modern physics. It was the experiment that first showed the quantized nature of the spin of an atom. This dissertation returns to this early experiment and describes the design, construction, and characterization of a variation that produces a one-dimensional Stern-Gerlach effect, or 1D kick, on a beam of neutral lithium atoms. Our technique relies on the combination of a magnetic field gradient and a strong bias field to generate a one-dimensional force on lithium entrained in a supersonic helium beam. By adjusting the bias field via variable, pulsed currents, we demonstrate the transition from a purely dispersive kick to a one-dimensional kick where off-axis heating of the beam has been eliminated. Pure one-dimensional forces enable access to new atomic and molecular cooling methods that can replace or supplement existing techniques to produce larger samples of cold atoms currently limited by evaporative cooling. Simulations suggest that the proposed magneto-optical cooling utilizing one-dimensional kicks will increase the total number of atoms in cold atom traps by orders of magnitude thus opening applications such as high flux atom lasers and more sensitive atom interferometry.

•May 1, 2019•0 citations
Abstract The Zeeman hyperfine state dependent force in a Stern–Gerlach experiment has been exploited to separate and quantitatively detect atoms in different Zeeman hyperfine states in a cold atom cloud of 87 Rb atoms. Using this atomic state detection technique, the quantum state of the atom cloud has been prepared with high efficiency for magnetic trapping application.
Utilizing the Stern-Gerlach effect, magnetic lenses are used to focus atom clouds, reducing their dimensions, and boosting the central cloud density. In this research, a theoretical model based on nonlinear Zeeman splitting in high-intensity magnetic fields is established to explore the nonlinear focusing of a tightly focused magnetic lens. The research concentrates on the motion and focusing of 87 Rb atoms in various Zeeman substates within an atom fountain under pulsed magnetic fields and establishes a correlation between the field curvature and the effective focal length. The nonlinear model has been validated in the experiment conducted in the fountain. Atoms in different Zeeman substates were selectively focused by the magnetic lens which has applications in precise manipulation of atoms including collimation, concentration, and spatial filtering. A spatial filter based on this method has been deployed in the phase-shear atomic interferometer to prepare an atom cloud in a pure Zeeman substate.
Summary form only given. Spatial coherences are measured by means of a new atom interferometry technique. First, a coherent superposition of the Zeeman components of the atom is built by means of well-controlled magnetic interactions. Second, pulsed inhomogeneous magnetic fields are employed to coherently separate and reunite the atomic substates via the Stern-Gerlach induced forces. Finally, atomic interference fringes are recorded on the state-selected outcoming sample by changing the spatial separation. This method bears strong similarities with the Fourier-transform spectroscopy of light. The interferogram visibility curve yields the atom sample spatial coherences. For example, when the applied magnetic gradients are parallel to the atom trajectory, one gets the coherence length by varying the overlap of the separated wavepackets. Several experiments on cold cesium atoms have been performed and are presented. Furthermore, we have used our magnetic cooling method to prepare the atom cloud upstream from the interferometer. Large enhancements of the coherence length are demonstrated.
In an atomic fountain, atoms in motion can be spatially separated into discrete Zeeman sub-states by magnetically induced Stern-Gerlach effect. With resonant light pulses acting as a shutter, specific states are selected for subsequent experiments. Such separation-selection process in atomic optics is the analogue of a spatial filter in physical optics which selects and purifies the modes of light. This technique is demonstrated by injecting a pulsed current in a circular coil around a vertical atomic fountain, separating the pre-cooled Rubidium atoms by a distance of centimeters in between, and filtering each single sub-state with block pulses. The filtered atoms after the process is highly purified in the desired sub-state. The apparatus of the atomic spatial filter is adaptable in atomic optics and can be integrated into the high-vacuum chamber of an atomic fountain.
The Stern-Gerlach experiment performed in 1922 is a seminal work of modern physics. It was the experiment that first showed the quantized nature of the spin of an atom. This dissertation returns to this early experiment and describes the design, construction, and characterization of a variation that produces a one-dimensional Stern-Gerlach effect, or 1D kick, on a beam of neutral lithium atoms. Our technique relies on the combination of a magnetic field gradient and a strong bias field to generate a one-dimensional force on lithium entrained in a supersonic helium beam. By adjusting the bias field via variable, pulsed currents, we demonstrate the transition from a purely dispersive kick to a one-dimensional kick where off-axis heating of the beam has been eliminated. Pure one-dimensional forces enable access to new atomic and molecular cooling methods that can replace or supplement existing techniques to produce larger samples of cold atoms currently limited by evaporative cooling. Simulations suggest that the proposed magneto-optical cooling utilizing one-dimensional kicks will increase the total number of atoms in cold atom traps by orders of magnitude thus opening applications such as high flux atom lasers and more sensitive atom interferometry.