In the past, light-assisted cold collisions between laser cooled atoms have been widely studied in magneto-optical atom traps (MOTs). We describe here theoretical studies of dynamical interactions, specifically cold collisions, between atoms trapped in near-resonant, dissipative optical lattices. The developed quantum-mechanical model is based on Monte Carlo wave-function simulations and combines atomic cooling and collision dynamics in a single framework. It turns out, that the radiative heating mechanism affects the dynamics of atomic cloud in a red-detuned lattice in a way that is not directly expected from the MOT studies. The optical lattice and position dependent light-matter coupling introduces selectivity of collision partners. Atoms, which are most mobile and energetic, are strongly favored to participate in collisions, and are more often ejected from the lattice, than the slow ones in the laser parameter region selected for study. For blue-detuned lattices, we study how optical shielding emerges as a natural part of the lattice and look for ways to optimize the effect. The simulations are computationally very demanding and would obviously benefit from the simplification schemes. We present some steps to this direction by showing how it is possible to calculate collision rates in near-resonant lattices in a fairly simple way.In the past, light-assisted cold collisions between laser cooled atoms have been widely studied in magneto-optical atom traps (MOTs). We describe here theoretical studies of dynamical interactions, specifically cold collisions, between atoms trapped in near-resonant, dissipative optical lattices. The developed quantum-mechanical model is based on Monte Carlo wave-function simulations and combines atomic cooling and collision dynamics in a single framework. It turns out, that the radiative heating mechanism affects the dynamics of atomic cloud in a red-detuned lattice in a way that is not directly expected from the MOT studies. The optical lattice and position dependent light-matter coupling introduces selectivity of collision partners. Atoms, which are most mobile and energetic, are strongly favored to participate in collisions, and are more often ejected from the lattice, than the slow ones in the laser parameter region selected for study. For blue-detuned lattices, we study how optical shielding emerges as a natural part of the lattice and look for ways to optimize the effect. The simulations are computationally very demanding and would obviously benefit from the simplification schemes. We present some steps to this direction by showing how it is possible to calculate collision rates in near-resonant lattices in a fairly simple way.

arXiv:physics/0411010Journal of Optics B Quantum and Semiclassical OpticsApr 15, 20054 citations

Cold-collision-shift cancellation and inelastic scattering in a Yb optical lattice clock

Andrew D. Ludlow, N. Lemke, Jeff A. Sherman +4 more

Recently, $p$ -wave cold collisions were shown to dominate the density-dependent shift of the clock transition frequency in a ${}^{171}$ Yb optical lattice clock. Here we demonstrate that by operating such a system at the proper excitation fraction, the cold-collision shift is canceled below the $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ fractional frequency level. We report inelastic two-body loss rates for ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$ - ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}$ and ${}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{S}_{0}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$ - ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}$ scattering. We also measure interaction shifts in an unpolarized atomic sample. Collision measurements for this spin-1/2 ${}^{171}$ Yb system are relevant for high-performance optical clocks as well as strongly interacting systems for quantum information and quantum simulation applications.Recently, $p$-wave cold collisions were shown to dominate the density-dependent shift of the clock transition frequency in a ${}^{171}$Yb optical lattice clock. Here we demonstrate that by operating such a system at the proper excitation fraction, the cold-collision shift is canceled below the $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ fractional frequency level. We report inelastic two-body loss rates for ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$-${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}$ and ${}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{S}_{0}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$-${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}$ scattering. We also measure interaction shifts in an unpolarized atomic sample. Collision measurements for this spin-1/2 ${}^{171}$Yb system are relevant for high-performance optical clocks as well as strongly interacting systems for quantum information and quantum simulation applications.

arXiv:1108.1379Physical Review ANov 28, 201151 citations

Enhancement And Suppression Of Collisions In Optical Lattices

Lawall, Orzel, Phillips +1 more

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science ConferenceJan 1, 19970 citations

Recently,

p

-wave cold collisions were shown to dominate the density-dependent shift of the clock transition frequency in a

{}^{171}

Yb optical lattice clock. Here we demonstrate that by operating such a system at the proper excitation fraction, the cold-collision shift is canceled below the $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ fractional frequency level. We report inelastic two-body loss rates for

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}

and

{}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{S}_{0}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}

scattering. We also measure interaction shifts in an unpolarized atomic sample. Collision measurements for this spin-1/2

{}^{171}

Yb system are relevant for high-performance optical clocks as well as strongly interacting systems for quantum information and quantum simulation applications.