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Imaging of Ultracold Atomic Populations in Magneto-optical Traps

Daniel Forman

Published Jan 1, 2007• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

This research attempted to characterize a magneto-optical trap (MOT) through absorption and fluorescence imaging. During the summer of 2006, work was undertaken in the Remote Sensing Division at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC to construct the imaging systems. The fluorescence system measured a trapped atomic population of 8.8 x 10⁶ atoms, while the more accurate absorption system indicated a trapped population of 4.6 x 10⁶ atoms. However, due to the very large imprecision in the fluorescence imaging values, these values are considered to be in agreement with one another, indicating that the imaging systems were functioning. Additional work will allow a time of flight measurement to determine the temperature of the trapped population and the precision of the absorption imaging system. The imaging systems will also be used for analysis of a Bose Einstein Condensate that the laboratory is in the process of creating.

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An Imaging System to Study Spin Dynamics in Ultracold Sodium Gases

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Optical imaging plays a central role in ultracold atom experiments by enabling quantitative measurements of atomic density, temperature, atom number, and condensate dynamics. Achieving high-fidelity absorption imaging requires a well-characterized optical system with accurately calibrated magnification and spatial resolution. In this work, I designed, implemented, and experimentally characterized a dual-view optical imaging platform for future absorption imaging of ultracold sodium atoms. The system consists of two independent three-lens relay imaging systems providing top and side views of the atomic sample. Two low-magnification configurations with nominal magnification 0.6 were developed for imaging the relatively large sodium magneto-optical trap (MOT), while higher-magnification configurations with nominal magnifications of 4 and 10 were designed for Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) imaging. The work included the integration and optimization of the laser cooling and trapping apparatus, improvements to the magnetic-field control system, and the alignment and calibration of both imaging paths. Characterization using a laser and a USAF 1951 resolution target yielded measured magnifications of 0.653 ± 0.033 and 0.521 ± 0.016 for the side and top MOT imaging systems, with corresponding spatial resolutions of 13.92 µm and 9.84 µm. The BEC imaging systems achieved measured magnifications of 4.094 ± 0.060 (top) and 10.817 ± 0.172 (side), with spatial resolutions of 9.84 µm and 6.20 µm, respectively. These measurements agree well with the theoretical diffraction-limited resolutions of 7.19 µm for the 0.6 and 4 magnification systems and 2.87 µm for the 10 magnification system, with the remaining differences attributed primarily to practical optical aberrations and alignment tolerances. The calibrated dual-view imaging platform provides the spatial resolution and quantitative accuracy required for absorption imaging of ultracold sodium atoms and establishes the experimental foundation for future investigations of sodium magneto-optical traps, Bose–Einstein condensation, and coherent spin dynamics in spinor sodium gases.

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Characterization of the Magneto-Optical Trap for Rb Atoms

J. W. F. Liwag, Joseph Manyaga, Marlon Patiño +2 more

A magneto-optical trap (MOT) for rubidium (Rb) atoms has been in operation at the University of San Carlos Optoelectronics Research Laboratory in Cebu City since 1998. The experimental design for this MOT is based on the system described by Wieman et al. (1995). This system formed the backbone of the research which resulted in the first observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) by the same group in 1995. An essential step for realizing this remarkable result was the accuracy in the timing mechanism of the experiment. To obtain an MOT in which we can switch the laser and magnetic fields with sub-millisecond accuracy, we have put considerable efforts to realize a computer-controlled system. Previous measurements have been used to validate our new results. The realization of a fast switch for the trapping laser creates the opportunity to measure time-of-flight (TOF) signals. These ballistic measurements can be used to infer the temperature of the cloud of trapped atoms. We hope to continue working on this automated system of the MOT towards BEC as a long-term goal of our research group.

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Compact Atomic Source for Quantum Simulation Experiments : Design and Characterization of a 3D Magneto-Optical Trap for Rb-87 Atoms

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SummaryWe present the design and characterization of a magneto-optical trap as a compact atomic source for quantum simulation experiments. The trap exhibits a loading rate of 1.07(3)x107atoms/s with a mean atom number of 1.96(6)x109, derived from MOT fluorescence measurements. Fluorescence imaging with a CCD camera determined the 1/e2radius of the 3D MOT to be 1.01(7) mm. Additionally, post-cooling ramps reduced the system's temperature to 13(4) μK. These results highlight the potential of our setup as a robust and compact source for advanced technologies and quantum simulation experiments.

Joint Conference of the European Frequency and Time Forum and IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (EFTF/IFCS)•May 12, 2025•0 citations

Constucting a Magneto-optical Trap (MOT) as a means to Bose- Einstein Condensate (BEC)

Mulmat, Christian

This research was focused on the construction of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) to create a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) of 87Rb. The BEC is the coldest of the five states of matter functioning at a minuscule temperature of nanokelvin. A BEC is as close as we can get to absolute zero. Thus making it a valuable tool for researching the fundamental physics of quantum systems. Our setup utilizes both a high pressure and low-pressure MOT. The high-pressure MOT initiates the process with a high vapor density allowing for better Rb collection. The trapped atoms are then transported to the low-pressure MOT where there are no other atoms. Rb atoms are further cooled to a Bose-Einstein condensate temperature and are moved with more current-carrying coils to the glass BEC chamber. In the BEC chamber all Rb atoms are identical at their lowest quantum state. Although the process can be phrased in a few short sentences the setup and characterization of the entire system takes months to years of construction. # 43- 46 Environmental Fellows Program: Student Practicums

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Implementation And Characterization Of A Magneto-Optical Trap

Michael Highman

Rydberg atoms are those which have their valence electron excited to high principal quantum number n. Atoms in the Rydberg state are the research focus of the experiment from which this paper derives. Rydberg atoms are fragile, and thermal collisions are enough to ionize and destroy the Rydberg state. A magneto-optical trap (MOT) serves the purpose of "ultra-cooling" atoms to temperatures around 140 micro-Kelvin and dramatically reduces the impact of thermal collisions. This paper details the theory and equipment necessary to realize a MOT of rubidium-85. It will then discuss the characterization of the MOT we implemented by a technique called low intensity absorption imaging. The result of the measurements by the absorption imaging gave an atom count of N=8.87 +/- (0.45)stat + (0.14)sys X 105 atoms and a peak atomic density of n0=1.57 +/- (0.14)stat + (0.02)sys X 1011 cm-3, where "stat" and "sys" denote statistical and systematic uncertainties. The MOT is of sufficient size and density to continue with the long term goals of the experiment [1][2].

•Jan 1, 2017•0 citations

Photoionization of ultracold and Bose-Einstein-condensed Rb atoms

D. Ciampini, Marco Anderlini, Jörg Helge Müller +4 more

Photoionization of a cold atomic sample offers intriguing possibilities for observing collective effects at extremely low temperatures. Irradiation of a rubidium condensate and of cold rubidium atoms within a magneto-optical trap (MOT) with laser pulses ionizing through one-photon and two-photon absorption processes was performed. Losses and modifications in the density profile of the remaining trapped cold cloud or the remaining condensate sample were examined as functions of the ionizing laser parameters. Ionization cross sections were measured for atoms in a MOT, while in magnetic traps losses larger than those expected for ionization process were measured.

arXiv:physics/0206019•Physical Review A•Oct 10, 2002•52 citations
This research attempted to characterize a magneto-optical trap (MOT) through absorption and fluorescence imaging. During the summer of 2006, work was undertaken in the Remote Sensing Division at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC to construct the imaging systems. The fluorescence system measured a trapped atomic population of 8.8 x 10⁶ atoms, while the more accurate absorption system indicated a trapped population of 4.6 x 10⁶ atoms. However, due to the very large imprecision in the fluorescence imaging values, these values are considered to be in agreement with one another, indicating that the imaging systems were functioning. Additional work will allow a time of flight measurement to determine the temperature of the trapped population and the precision of the absorption imaging system. The imaging systems will also be used for analysis of a Bose Einstein Condensate that the laboratory is in the process of creating.
Optical imaging plays a central role in ultracold atom experiments by enabling quantitative measurements of atomic density, temperature, atom number, and condensate dynamics. Achieving high-fidelity absorption imaging requires a well-characterized optical system with accurately calibrated magnification and spatial resolution. In this work, I designed, implemented, and experimentally characterized a dual-view optical imaging platform for future absorption imaging of ultracold sodium atoms. The system consists of two independent three-lens relay imaging systems providing top and side views of the atomic sample. Two low-magnification configurations with nominal magnification 0.6 were developed for imaging the relatively large sodium magneto-optical trap (MOT), while higher-magnification configurations with nominal magnifications of 4 and 10 were designed for Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) imaging. The work included the integration and optimization of the laser cooling and trapping apparatus, improvements to the magnetic-field control system, and the alignment and calibration of both imaging paths. Characterization using a laser and a USAF 1951 resolution target yielded measured magnifications of 0.653 ± 0.033 and 0.521 ± 0.016 for the side and top MOT imaging systems, with corresponding spatial resolutions of 13.92 µm and 9.84 µm. The BEC imaging systems achieved measured magnifications of 4.094 ± 0.060 (top) and 10.817 ± 0.172 (side), with spatial resolutions of 9.84 µm and 6.20 µm, respectively. These measurements agree well with the theoretical diffraction-limited resolutions of 7.19 µm for the 0.6 and 4 magnification systems and 2.87 µm for the 10 magnification system, with the remaining differences attributed primarily to practical optical aberrations and alignment tolerances. The calibrated dual-view imaging platform provides the spatial resolution and quantitative accuracy required for absorption imaging of ultracold sodium atoms and establishes the experimental foundation for future investigations of sodium magneto-optical traps, Bose–Einstein condensation, and coherent spin dynamics in spinor sodium gases.
A magneto-optical trap (MOT) for rubidium (Rb) atoms has been in operation at the University of San Carlos Optoelectronics Research Laboratory in Cebu City since 1998. The experimental design for this MOT is based on the system described by Wieman et al. (1995). This system formed the backbone of the research which resulted in the first observation of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) by the same group in 1995. An essential step for realizing this remarkable result was the accuracy in the timing mechanism of the experiment. To obtain an MOT in which we can switch the laser and magnetic fields with sub-millisecond accuracy, we have put considerable efforts to realize a computer-controlled system. Previous measurements have been used to validate our new results. The realization of a fast switch for the trapping laser creates the opportunity to measure time-of-flight (TOF) signals. These ballistic measurements can be used to infer the temperature of the cloud of trapped atoms. We hope to continue working on this automated system of the MOT towards BEC as a long-term goal of our research group.
SummaryWe present the design and characterization of a magneto-optical trap as a compact atomic source for quantum simulation experiments. The trap exhibits a loading rate of 1.07(3)x107atoms/s with a mean atom number of 1.96(6)x109, derived from MOT fluorescence measurements. Fluorescence imaging with a CCD camera determined the 1/e2radius of the 3D MOT to be 1.01(7) mm. Additionally, post-cooling ramps reduced the system's temperature to 13(4) μK. These results highlight the potential of our setup as a robust and compact source for advanced technologies and quantum simulation experiments.
This research was focused on the construction of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) to create a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) of 87Rb. The BEC is the coldest of the five states of matter functioning at a minuscule temperature of nanokelvin. A BEC is as close as we can get to absolute zero. Thus making it a valuable tool for researching the fundamental physics of quantum systems. Our setup utilizes both a high pressure and low-pressure MOT. The high-pressure MOT initiates the process with a high vapor density allowing for better Rb collection. The trapped atoms are then transported to the low-pressure MOT where there are no other atoms. Rb atoms are further cooled to a Bose-Einstein condensate temperature and are moved with more current-carrying coils to the glass BEC chamber. In the BEC chamber all Rb atoms are identical at their lowest quantum state. Although the process can be phrased in a few short sentences the setup and characterization of the entire system takes months to years of construction. # 43- 46 Environmental Fellows Program: Student Practicums
Rydberg atoms are those which have their valence electron excited to high principal quantum number n. Atoms in the Rydberg state are the research focus of the experiment from which this paper derives. Rydberg atoms are fragile, and thermal collisions are enough to ionize and destroy the Rydberg state. A magneto-optical trap (MOT) serves the purpose of "ultra-cooling" atoms to temperatures around 140 micro-Kelvin and dramatically reduces the impact of thermal collisions. This paper details the theory and equipment necessary to realize a MOT of rubidium-85. It will then discuss the characterization of the MOT we implemented by a technique called low intensity absorption imaging. The result of the measurements by the absorption imaging gave an atom count of N=8.87 +/- (0.45)stat + (0.14)sys X 105 atoms and a peak atomic density of n0=1.57 +/- (0.14)stat + (0.02)sys X 1011 cm-3, where "stat" and "sys" denote statistical and systematic uncertainties. The MOT is of sufficient size and density to continue with the long term goals of the experiment [1][2].
Photoionization of a cold atomic sample offers intriguing possibilities for observing collective effects at extremely low temperatures. Irradiation of a rubidium condensate and of cold rubidium atoms within a magneto-optical trap (MOT) with laser pulses ionizing through one-photon and two-photon absorption processes was performed. Losses and modifications in the density profile of the remaining trapped cold cloud or the remaining condensate sample were examined as functions of the ionizing laser parameters. Ionization cross sections were measured for atoms in a MOT, while in magnetic traps losses larger than those expected for ionization process were measured.