Characterization of the single atom optical trap

Chung-Yu Shih, Michael J. Gibbons, Michael Chapman

N. Friedman, Lev Khaykovich, Roee Ozeri +1 more

We propose and demonstrate a scheme for a blue-detuned optical dipole trap for cold atoms which consists of a single, rapidly rotating laser beam. We characterize a parameter range in which the optical potential can be accurately described by a quasistatic time-averaged potential. The trap is loaded with $>{10}^{6}$ Rb atoms, and is then compressed adiabatically by a factor of 350 to a final density of $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}.$ $\mathrm{A}\ensuremath{\sim}4$ times adiabatic increase in the peak phase-space density of the trapped atoms is obtained due to the change in the shape of the trap potential. The two-body elastic and inelastic collision rates of atoms in the compressed trap are determined.

Dong‐il Cho

Jan L. Chaloupka, David D. Meyerhofer

The generation and numerical and optical characterization of a single-beam, ponderomotive-optical trap are discussed. A novel segmented wave-plate technique is described, and experimental results of the trap formation are presented. Several methods to tune the traps are discussed, including techniques to realize a bright trap for dark-seeking electrons. The effects of non-Gaussian incident beams and beams with phase aberrations on trap formation are also described.

Lorena C. Bianchet

In this thesis, a single-atom trap in a "Maltese cross'' geometry (MCG) was designed, built up and characterized. A MCG atom trap uses four in-vacuum lenses to achieve four-directional high-numerical-aperture optical coupling to single trapped atoms and small atomic arrays. Here, we describe the theoretical background, the design, and the optical methods used for trapping and cooling atoms in a MCG geometry optimized for high coupling efficiency. We also characterize the resulting properties of the trap and trapped atoms. For this propose we measure occupancy, loading rate, lifetime, temperature, fluorescence anti-bunching and trap frequencies using current best practices. We also report another use of the optical control and coupling offered by the MCG: we use the two on-trap-axis lenses to produce a 1D optical lattice, the sites of which are stochastically filled and emptied by the trap loading process. The two off-trap-axis lenses are used for imaging and single-mode collection. Correlations of single-mode and imaging fluorescence signals are then used to map the single-mode collection efficiency. We observe trap characteristics comparable to what has been reported for single-atom traps with one- or two-lens optical systems. This shows that four-direction high-NA coupling can be achieved with little reduction in trap performance. Finally, we conclude with the near-future plans of the experiment.