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:quant-ph/0702132 · Physical Review A

Calibration of a single-atom detector for atomic microchips

Alexander Stibor, Sebastian Kraft, T. J. Campey, D. Komma, Andreas Günther, József Fortágh, Chris J. Vale, Halina H. Rubinsztein-Dunlop, Claus Zimmermann

Published Sep 19, 2007• 15 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We experimentally investigate a scheme for detecting single atoms magnetically trapped on an atom chip. The detector is based on the photoionization of atoms and the subsequent detection of the generated ions. We describe the characterization of the ion detector with emphasis on its calibration via the correlation of ions with simultaneously generated electrons. A detection efficiency of $47.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.6\text{ }%$ is measured, which is useful for single-atom detection, and close to the limit allowing atom counting with sub-Poissonian uncertainty.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.76.033614

Related papers

Single-atom detection on a chip: from realization to application

Alexander Stibor, H. Bender, S Kühnhold +3 more

In this paper, we describe the preparation and detection of ultracold atoms on a microchip with single-atom sensitivity. The detection scheme is based on multi-photon ionization of atoms and the subsequent guiding of the generated ions by ion optics to a channel electron multiplier. We resolve single atoms with a detection efficiency above 60%. The detector is suitable for real-time observations of static and dynamic processes in ultracold quantum gases. Although the ionization is destructive, sampling a small subset of the atomic distribution is sufficient for the determination of the desired information. We take full high-resolution spectra of ultracold atoms by ionizing only 5% of the atoms. Using an additional microwave near 6.8 GHz, the detection scheme becomes energy, position and state selective. This can be used for in situ determination of the energy distribution and temperature of atom clouds inside the trap and applied for future correlation measurements.

New Journal of Physics•Jun 28, 2010•15 citations

Highly Efficient State-Selective Submicrosecond Photoionization Detection of Single Atoms

Florian Henkel, Michael Krug, Julian Hofmann +3 more

We experimentally demonstrate a detection scheme suitable for state analysis of single optically trapped atoms in less than 1 μs with an overall detection efficiency η exceeding 98%. The method is based on hyperfine-state-selective photoionization and subsequent registration of the correlated photoion-electron pairs by coincidence counting via two opposing channel electron multipliers. The scheme enables the calibration of absolute detection efficiencies and might be a key ingredient for future quantum information applications or precision spectroscopy of ultracold atoms.

arXiv:1008.1910•Physical Review Letters•Dec 13, 2010•35 citations

Optical Spectroscopy of Ultracold Atoms on an Atom Chip

Andreas Günther, H. Bender, Alexander Stibor +2 more

We experimentally demonstrate optical spectroscopy of magnetically trapped atoms on an atom chip. High resolution optical spectra of individual trapped clouds are recorded within a few hundred milliseconds. Detection sensitivities close to the single atom level are obtained by photoionization of the excited atoms and subsequent ion detection with a channel electron multiplier. Temperature and decay rates of the trapped atomic cloud can be monitored in real time for several seconds with only little detection losses. The spectrometer can be used for investigations of ultracold atomic mixtures and for the development of interferometric quantum sensors on atom chips.

arXiv:0809.2527•Sep 15, 2008•0 citations

Compact detector for atom-atom correlations on an atom chip

Conny Glaser, Dominik Jakab, Florian Jessen +3 more

We present a compact, ionization-based detector for the state-selective and spatially resolved measurement of individual Rydberg atoms trapped in the vicinity of an atom chip. The system combines an electrostatic lens system for guiding charged particles with an array of channel electron multipliers (CEMs) capable of detecting both ions and electrons produced by ionization. Designed for quantum information applications, this device enables the detection of correlations between spatially separated Rydberg qubits. Additionally, the electrodes provide compensation for stray electric fields and control over particle trajectories. The imaging system achieves a total magnification of more than 12, with a single-axis magnification up to 200, while maintaining low aberrations. We characterize the performance of the system using a charged particle trajectory simulation software and discuss how a coincidence measurement of ions and electrons can be used to calibrate the detection efficiency. This detector enables high-fidelity measurement of multiple Rydberg atoms and is well-suited for applications in cavity-mediated quantum gates.

arXiv:2507.03624•Jul 4, 2025•0 citations

Observing quantum gases in real time: Single-atom detection on a chip

Andreas Günther, H. Bender, Alexander Stibor +2 more

Single magnetically trapped $^{87}\text{R}\text{b}$ atoms on an atom chip are detected with $67\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}12\text{ }%$ efficiency by three photon ionization and subsequent ion detection in a channel electron multiplier. State selective detection of single atoms and high-resolution optical spectroscopy on trapped atom clouds are demonstrated. The temperature and particle density of a trapped atomic gas is monitored in situ and in real time with negligible atom loss due to ionization below 5%.

Physical Review A•Jul 29, 2009•15 citations

Miniature fluorescence detector for single atom observation on a microchip

Akifumi Takamizawa, T. Steinmetz, R. Delhuille +2 more

We explore the feasibility of single atom detection on an atom chip by using a tiny fluorescence detector mounted on the chip. Resonant fluorescence from a trapped ultracold atom will be collected with a miniature aspheric lens and taken out of a vacuum chamber through a fiber. During detection, the atom can be held at the focus of the detector with a dipole trapping beam introduced through the same fiber. We have experimentally determined the optical performance of such a detector, taking into account effects such as stray light from the dipole trapping beam and chromatic aberration. The collection efficiency for isotropically emitted radiation is experimentally obtained to be 2.5%. From this, it is estimated that the fluorescence emitted from a single Rb atom will produce a photon count rate of 4.7x10(4) Hz, which is much larger than the shot noise limited background fluctuations.

Optics Express•Jan 1, 2006•11 citations
We experimentally investigate a scheme for detecting single atoms magnetically trapped on an atom chip. The detector is based on the photoionization of atoms and the subsequent detection of the generated ions. We describe the characterization of the ion detector with emphasis on its calibration via the correlation of ions with simultaneously generated electrons. A detection efficiency of 47.8\ifmmode±\else\textpm\fi2.6 47.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.6\text{ }%47.8\ifmmode±\else\textpm\fi2.6  is measured, which is useful for single-atom detection, and close to the limit allowing atom counting with sub-Poissonian uncertainty.
In this paper, we describe the preparation and detection of ultracold atoms on a microchip with single-atom sensitivity. The detection scheme is based on multi-photon ionization of atoms and the subsequent guiding of the generated ions by ion optics to a channel electron multiplier. We resolve single atoms with a detection efficiency above 60%. The detector is suitable for real-time observations of static and dynamic processes in ultracold quantum gases. Although the ionization is destructive, sampling a small subset of the atomic distribution is sufficient for the determination of the desired information. We take full high-resolution spectra of ultracold atoms by ionizing only 5% of the atoms. Using an additional microwave near 6.8 GHz, the detection scheme becomes energy, position and state selective. This can be used for in situ determination of the energy distribution and temperature of atom clouds inside the trap and applied for future correlation measurements.
We experimentally demonstrate a detection scheme suitable for state analysis of single optically trapped atoms in less than 1 μs with an overall detection efficiency η exceeding 98%. The method is based on hyperfine-state-selective photoionization and subsequent registration of the correlated photoion-electron pairs by coincidence counting via two opposing channel electron multipliers. The scheme enables the calibration of absolute detection efficiencies and might be a key ingredient for future quantum information applications or precision spectroscopy of ultracold atoms.
We experimentally demonstrate optical spectroscopy of magnetically trapped atoms on an atom chip. High resolution optical spectra of individual trapped clouds are recorded within a few hundred milliseconds. Detection sensitivities close to the single atom level are obtained by photoionization of the excited atoms and subsequent ion detection with a channel electron multiplier. Temperature and decay rates of the trapped atomic cloud can be monitored in real time for several seconds with only little detection losses. The spectrometer can be used for investigations of ultracold atomic mixtures and for the development of interferometric quantum sensors on atom chips.
We present a compact, ionization-based detector for the state-selective and spatially resolved measurement of individual Rydberg atoms trapped in the vicinity of an atom chip. The system combines an electrostatic lens system for guiding charged particles with an array of channel electron multipliers (CEMs) capable of detecting both ions and electrons produced by ionization. Designed for quantum information applications, this device enables the detection of correlations between spatially separated Rydberg qubits. Additionally, the electrodes provide compensation for stray electric fields and control over particle trajectories. The imaging system achieves a total magnification of more than 12, with a single-axis magnification up to 200, while maintaining low aberrations. We characterize the performance of the system using a charged particle trajectory simulation software and discuss how a coincidence measurement of ions and electrons can be used to calibrate the detection efficiency. This detector enables high-fidelity measurement of multiple Rydberg atoms and is well-suited for applications in cavity-mediated quantum gates.
Single magnetically trapped 87Rb^{87}\text{R}\text{b}87Rb atoms on an atom chip are detected with $67\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}12\text{ }%$ efficiency by three photon ionization and subsequent ion detection in a channel electron multiplier. State selective detection of single atoms and high-resolution optical spectroscopy on trapped atom clouds are demonstrated. The temperature and particle density of a trapped atomic gas is monitored in situ and in real time with negligible atom loss due to ionization below 5%.
We explore the feasibility of single atom detection on an atom chip by using a tiny fluorescence detector mounted on the chip. Resonant fluorescence from a trapped ultracold atom will be collected with a miniature aspheric lens and taken out of a vacuum chamber through a fiber. During detection, the atom can be held at the focus of the detector with a dipole trapping beam introduced through the same fiber. We have experimentally determined the optical performance of such a detector, taking into account effects such as stray light from the dipole trapping beam and chromatic aberration. The collection efficiency for isotropically emitted radiation is experimentally obtained to be 2.5%. From this, it is estimated that the fluorescence emitted from a single Rb atom will produce a photon count rate of 4.7x10(4) Hz, which is much larger than the shot noise limited background fluctuations.