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Rydberg-Stark deceleration and trapping of helium atoms above electrical transmission-lines

P. Lancuba

Published Mar 28, 2016• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

The experimental realisation of a set of surface-based devices for controlling the positions and velocities of Rydberg atoms initially travelling in pulsed supersonic beams is described. The unique aspect of these devices is that they are based on the geometry of two-dimensional electrical transmission-lines and are therefore suited to integration with chip-based microwave circuits to realise a complete Rydberg laboratory on a chip. Such a chip-based laboratory could be exploited in hybrid approaches to quantum information processing, and for studies of collisions and decay processes of highly excited atoms and molecules. The devices operate through the generation of inhomogeneous electric fields and take advantage of the large electric dipole moments associated with high Rydberg states to exert forces on the atoms. In the experiments, helium atoms in Rydberg-Stark states with principal quantum numbers ranging from 48 to 52 and electric dipole moments of 10000 D are employed. The devices developed include electrostatic guides which permitted control over the transverse motion of beams of atoms. These were used to transport samples, initially travelling at 1950 m/s and deflect them away from their initial axis of propagation. The guided atoms were detected by pulsed electric field ionisation. To control the longitudinal motion of the samples, the transmission-lines were modified to permit the generation of sets of continuously moving electric traps. The resulting transmission-line decelerators were then employed to guide, accelerate and decelerate atoms trapped in three-dimensions. Accelerations up to 2.3 x 10^{7} m/s^{2} were applied to decelerate samples from 2000 m/s to zero-velocity in the laboratory-fixed frame of reference, leading to the removal of 80 meV of kinetic energy, the largest achieved in any Stark decelerator to date. The decelerated atoms were trapped in stationary electric traps and detected in situ. The phase-space acceptances of the decelerators were calculated to characterise the effects of acceleration and deceleration on the trapped atoms. The results of the calculations were employed in the interpretation of the experimental data, and to identify effects of collisions and blackbody transitions.

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Electrostatic trapping and in situ detection of Rydberg atoms above chip-based transmission lines

P. Lancuba, S. D. Hogan

Abstract Beams of helium atoms in Rydberg–Stark states with principal quantum number n = 48 and electric dipole moments of 4600 D have been decelerated from a mean initial longitudinal speed of 2000 m s −1 to zero velocity in the laboratory-fixed frame-of-reference in the continuously moving electric traps of a transmission-line decelerator. In this process accelerations up to m s −2 were applied, and changes in kinetic energy of J ( meV) per atom were achieved. Guided and decelerated atoms, and those confined in stationary electrostatic traps, were detected in situ by pulsed electric field ionisation. The results of numerical calculations of particle trajectories within the decelerator have been used to characterise the observed deceleration efficiencies, and aid in the interpretation of the experimental data.

arXiv:1603.05528•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Mar 17, 2016•24 citations

Surface-Electrode Rydberg-Stark Decelerator

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Hydrogen atoms in Rydberg states with principal quantum numbers between 23 and 70 have been accelerated, decelerated, and electrostatically trapped using a surface-electrode Rydberg-Stark decelerator. By applying a set of oscillating electrical potentials to a two-dimensional array of electrodes on a printed circuit board (PCB), a continuously moving, three-dimensional electric trap with a predefined velocity and acceleration is generated. From an initial longitudinal velocity of 760 m/s, final velocities of the Rydberg atoms ranging from 1200 m/s to zero velocity in the laboratory-fixed frame of reference were achieved. Accelerated or decelerated atoms were detected directly by pulsed electric-field ionization. Atoms trapped at zero mean velocity above the PCB were reaccelerated off the PCB before field ionization.

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Transmission-line decelerators for atoms in high Rydberg states

P. Lancuba, S. D. Hogan

Beams of helium atoms in Rydberg states with principal quantum number $n=52$, and traveling with an initial speed of 1950 m/s, have been accelerated, decelerated, and guided while confined in moving electric traps generated above a curved, surface-based electrical transmission line with a segmented center conductor. Experiments have been performed with atoms guided at constant speed, and with accelerations exceeding ${10}^{7}$ $\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}{}^{2}$. In each case, the manipulated atoms were detected by spatially resolved, pulsed electric field ionization. The effects of tangential and centripetal accelerations on the effective trapping potentials experienced by the atoms in the decelerator have been studied, with the resulting observations highlighting contributions from the density of excited Rydberg atoms to the acceleration, deceleration, and guiding efficiencies in the experiments.

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A surface-electrode decelerator consisting of 44 electrodes has been used to decelerate supersonic beams of helium Rydberg atoms moving with an initial velocity of 1200 m/s. Prior to the deceleration, the helium atoms were excited from the $1s2s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{1}{S}_{0}$ metastable state to selected Rydberg-Stark states with a narrow-band tunable UV laser. Complete deceleration could be achieved over a distance of 36 mm and in 60 $\ensuremath{\mu}$s, corresponding to an acceleration of $\ensuremath{-}2.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ m/s${}^{2}$. After deceleration, the atoms were held in stationary electric traps above the chip surface, reaccelerated off the chip, and detected by pulsed electric-field ionization. The decelerator was also used to generate helium Rydberg-atom beams with a final velocity tunable between 0 and 1200 m/s. Transitions between low- and high-field-seeking Rydberg-Stark states were observed during trap loading and are attributed to adiabatic Landau-Zener dynamics at electric fields exceeding the Inglis-Teller field. By comparing the experimental results with the results of particle-trajectory simulations, the velocity distribution of the decelerated atoms was found to be characterized by temperatures ranging between 50 and 200 mK, depending on the magnitude of the electric dipole moment of the Rydberg-Stark states selected prior to the deceleration.

Physical Review A•Oct 29, 2013•20 citations

Motional, isotope and quadratic Stark effects in Rydberg–Stark deceleration and electric trapping of H and D

S. D. Hogan, Ch. Seiler, Frédéric Merkt

Hydrogen and deuterium Rydberg atoms, initially moving at velocities of 600 and 560 m s −1 , respectively, in pulsed supersonic beams, have been decelerated and electrostatically trapped following adiabatic 90° deflection from their initial axis of propagation to minimize collisions with the trailing edge of the gas pulses. The time evolution of the potential energy surfaces, over which the atoms undergoing deceleration travel during the trap-loading process, is analogous to that of a moving electrodynamic trap. It has been studied in the laboratory-fixed frame of reference and in the continuously moving frame of reference defined by the instantaneous position of the electric-field minimum around which the atoms are located. The importance of the quadratic Stark effect in the deceleration of samples in Rydberg states with principal quantum numbers above 35 has also been investigated by comparison of experimental results with predictions resulting from the numerical calculation of particle trajectories. The data presented for deuterium atoms represent the first application of Rydberg–Stark deceleration and trapping for this atom. Comparison of the rate of loss of n = 30 H and D atoms from the trap enables one to conclude that it is not affected by the particle dynamics during deceleration and trap loading.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Feb 4, 2013•17 citations

Rydberg-Stark deceleration and trapping of atoms and molecules

Seiler, Christian

This thesis describes contributions to the development of a new method to control the translational motion of atoms and molecules in supersonic beams.This method, Rydberg-Stark deceleration, is in principle applicable to all atoms and molecules in the gas phase.It relies on the Stark effect exhibited by Rydberg states and enables the production of samples of translationally and internally cold atoms and molecules which have possible applications in high-resolution spectroscopic experiments, in the studies of collisions at low temperatures and in quantum information science.This method has been developed and tested in deceleration and trapping experiments on hydrogen and deuterium atoms, and hydrogen molecules initially moving in supersonic beams.Its power originates from the large dipole moments, easily exceeding 1000 Debye, induced in Rydberg states by electric fields.Large forces are exerted on Rydberg atoms and molecules

•Jan 1, 2013•2 citations
The experimental realisation of a set of surface-based devices for controlling the positions and velocities of Rydberg atoms initially travelling in pulsed supersonic beams is described. The unique aspect of these devices is that they are based on the geometry of two-dimensional electrical transmission-lines and are therefore suited to integration with chip-based microwave circuits to realise a complete Rydberg laboratory on a chip. Such a chip-based laboratory could be exploited in hybrid approaches to quantum information processing, and for studies of collisions and decay processes of highly excited atoms and molecules. The devices operate through the generation of inhomogeneous electric fields and take advantage of the large electric dipole moments associated with high Rydberg states to exert forces on the atoms. In the experiments, helium atoms in Rydberg-Stark states with principal quantum numbers ranging from 48 to 52 and electric dipole moments of 10000 D are employed. The devices developed include electrostatic guides which permitted control over the transverse motion of beams of atoms. These were used to transport samples, initially travelling at 1950 m/s and deflect them away from their initial axis of propagation. The guided atoms were detected by pulsed electric field ionisation. To control the longitudinal motion of the samples, the transmission-lines were modified to permit the generation of sets of continuously moving electric traps. The resulting transmission-line decelerators were then employed to guide, accelerate and decelerate atoms trapped in three-dimensions. Accelerations up to 2.3 x 10^{7} m/s^{2} were applied to decelerate samples from 2000 m/s to zero-velocity in the laboratory-fixed frame of reference, leading to the removal of 80 meV of kinetic energy, the largest achieved in any Stark decelerator to date. The decelerated atoms were trapped in stationary electric traps and detected in situ. The phase-space acceptances of the decelerators were calculated to characterise the effects of acceleration and deceleration on the trapped atoms. The results of the calculations were employed in the interpretation of the experimental data, and to identify effects of collisions and blackbody transitions.
Abstract Beams of helium atoms in Rydberg–Stark states with principal quantum number n = 48 and electric dipole moments of 4600 D have been decelerated from a mean initial longitudinal speed of 2000 m s −1 to zero velocity in the laboratory-fixed frame-of-reference in the continuously moving electric traps of a transmission-line decelerator. In this process accelerations up to m s −2 were applied, and changes in kinetic energy of J ( meV) per atom were achieved. Guided and decelerated atoms, and those confined in stationary electrostatic traps, were detected in situ by pulsed electric field ionisation. The results of numerical calculations of particle trajectories within the decelerator have been used to characterise the observed deceleration efficiencies, and aid in the interpretation of the experimental data.
Hydrogen atoms in Rydberg states with principal quantum numbers between 23 and 70 have been accelerated, decelerated, and electrostatically trapped using a surface-electrode Rydberg-Stark decelerator. By applying a set of oscillating electrical potentials to a two-dimensional array of electrodes on a printed circuit board (PCB), a continuously moving, three-dimensional electric trap with a predefined velocity and acceleration is generated. From an initial longitudinal velocity of 760 m/s, final velocities of the Rydberg atoms ranging from 1200 m/s to zero velocity in the laboratory-fixed frame of reference were achieved. Accelerated or decelerated atoms were detected directly by pulsed electric-field ionization. Atoms trapped at zero mean velocity above the PCB were reaccelerated off the PCB before field ionization.
Beams of helium atoms in Rydberg states with principal quantum number n=52n=52n=52, and traveling with an initial speed of 1950 m/s, have been accelerated, decelerated, and guided while confined in moving electric traps generated above a curved, surface-based electrical transmission line with a segmented center conductor. Experiments have been performed with atoms guided at constant speed, and with accelerations exceeding 107{10}^{7}107 m/s2\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}{}^{2}m/s2. In each case, the manipulated atoms were detected by spatially resolved, pulsed electric field ionization. The effects of tangential and centripetal accelerations on the effective trapping potentials experienced by the atoms in the decelerator have been studied, with the resulting observations highlighting contributions from the density of excited Rydberg atoms to the acceleration, deceleration, and guiding efficiencies in the experiments.
A surface-electrode decelerator consisting of 44 electrodes has been used to decelerate supersonic beams of helium Rydberg atoms moving with an initial velocity of 1200 m/s. Prior to the deceleration, the helium atoms were excited from the 1s2s1S01s2s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{1}{S}_{0}1s2s1S0​ metastable state to selected Rydberg-Stark states with a narrow-band tunable UV laser. Complete deceleration could be achieved over a distance of 36 mm and in 60 $\ensuremath{\mu}$s, corresponding to an acceleration of $\ensuremath{-}2.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ m/s2{}^{2}2. After deceleration, the atoms were held in stationary electric traps above the chip surface, reaccelerated off the chip, and detected by pulsed electric-field ionization. The decelerator was also used to generate helium Rydberg-atom beams with a final velocity tunable between 0 and 1200 m/s. Transitions between low- and high-field-seeking Rydberg-Stark states were observed during trap loading and are attributed to adiabatic Landau-Zener dynamics at electric fields exceeding the Inglis-Teller field. By comparing the experimental results with the results of particle-trajectory simulations, the velocity distribution of the decelerated atoms was found to be characterized by temperatures ranging between 50 and 200 mK, depending on the magnitude of the electric dipole moment of the Rydberg-Stark states selected prior to the deceleration.
Hydrogen and deuterium Rydberg atoms, initially moving at velocities of 600 and 560 m s −1 , respectively, in pulsed supersonic beams, have been decelerated and electrostatically trapped following adiabatic 90° deflection from their initial axis of propagation to minimize collisions with the trailing edge of the gas pulses. The time evolution of the potential energy surfaces, over which the atoms undergoing deceleration travel during the trap-loading process, is analogous to that of a moving electrodynamic trap. It has been studied in the laboratory-fixed frame of reference and in the continuously moving frame of reference defined by the instantaneous position of the electric-field minimum around which the atoms are located. The importance of the quadratic Stark effect in the deceleration of samples in Rydberg states with principal quantum numbers above 35 has also been investigated by comparison of experimental results with predictions resulting from the numerical calculation of particle trajectories. The data presented for deuterium atoms represent the first application of Rydberg–Stark deceleration and trapping for this atom. Comparison of the rate of loss of n = 30 H and D atoms from the trap enables one to conclude that it is not affected by the particle dynamics during deceleration and trap loading.
This thesis describes contributions to the development of a new method to control the translational motion of atoms and molecules in supersonic beams.This method, Rydberg-Stark deceleration, is in principle applicable to all atoms and molecules in the gas phase.It relies on the Stark effect exhibited by Rydberg states and enables the production of samples of translationally and internally cold atoms and molecules which have possible applications in high-resolution spectroscopic experiments, in the studies of collisions at low temperatures and in quantum information science.This method has been developed and tested in deceleration and trapping experiments on hydrogen and deuterium atoms, and hydrogen molecules initially moving in supersonic beams.Its power originates from the large dipole moments, easily exceeding 1000 Debye, induced in Rydberg states by electric fields.Large forces are exerted on Rydberg atoms and molecules