We report on progress towards a single atom, single photon source using a fiber connected optical chip. Quantum experiments with cold atoms are burdened by the complexity of the experimental apparatus. Using fiber connectorized optics and a grating MOT suitable for cooling Rb atoms we fabricate a pre-aligned device usable as a single photon source for quantum communication experiments. The device integrates a grating MOT with a single beam dipole trap produced by a fiber and GRIN lens combination. MOT atoms are loaded into the dipole trap and then used as a source of single photons which are collected by the same optical fiber. We will report on details of the fabrication of the optical chip, experimental characterization, and progress towards generating high purity single photons.
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Jet-loaded cold atomic beam source for strontium
We report on the design and characterization of a cold atom source for strontium (Sr) based on a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (MOT) that is directly loaded from the atom jet of a dispenser. We characterize the atom flux of the source by measuring the loading rate of a three-dimensional MOT. We find loading rates of up to 10 8 atoms per second. The setup is compact, easy to construct, and has low power consumption. It addresses the longstanding challenge of reducing the complexity of cold beam sources for Sr, which is relevant for optical atomic clocks, quantum simulation, and computing devices based on ultracold Sr.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1936359
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10430493
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Review of Scientific Instruments
- Volume:
- 94
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0034-6748
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 013202
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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We report an experimental demonstration of optical two-dimensional coherent spectroscopy (2DCS) in cold atoms. The experiment integrates a collinear 2DCS setup with a magneto-optical trap (MOT), in which cold rubidium (Rb) atoms are prepared at a temperature of approximately 200 µK and a number density of 1010cm−3. With a sequence of femtosecond laser pulses, we first obtain one-dimensional second- and fourth-order nonlinear signals and then acquire both one-quantum and zero-quantum 2D spectra of cold Rb atoms. The capability of performing optical 2DCS in cold atoms is an important step toward optical 2DCS study of many-body physics in cold atoms and ultimately in atom arrays and trapped ions. Optical 2DCS in cold atoms/molecules can also be a new avenue to probe chemical reaction dynamics in cold molecules.
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Abstract Optically trapped laser-cooled polar molecules hold promise for new science and technology in quantum information and quantum simulation. Large numerical aperture optical access and long trap lifetimes are needed for many studies, but these requirements are challenging to achieve in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) vacuum chamber that is connected to a cryogenic buffer gas beam source, as is the case for all molecule laser cooling experiments so far. Long distance transport of molecules greatly eases fulfilling these requirements as molecules are placed into a region separate from the MOT chamber. We realize a fast transport method for ultracold molecules based on an electronically focus-tunable lens combined with an optical lattice. The high transport speed is achieved by the 1D red-detuned optical lattice, which is generated by interference of a focus-tunable laser beam and a focus-fixed laser beam. Efficiency of 48(8)% is realized in the transport of ultracold calcium monofluoride (CaF) molecules over 46 cm distance in 50 ms, with a moderate heating from 32(2)
μ K to 53(4)μ K. Positional stability of the molecular cloud allows for stable loading of an optical tweezer array with single molecules. -
We present recent progress towards building a neutral atom quantum computer. We use a new design for a blue-detuned optical lattice to trap single Cs atoms. The lattice is created using a combination of diffractive elements and acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) which give a reconfigurable set of cross-hatched lines. By using AODs, we can vary the number of traps and size of the trapping regions as well as eliminate extraneous traps in Talbot planes. Since this trap uses blue-detuned light, it traps both ground state atoms and atoms excited to the Rydberg state; moreover, by tuning the size of the trapping region, we can make the traps “magic” for a selected Rydberg state. We use an optical tweezer beam for atom rearrangement. When loading atoms into the array, trap sites randomly contain zero or one atoms. Atoms are then moved between different trapping sites using a red-detuned optical tweezer. Optimal atom rearrangement is calculated using the “Hungarian Method”. These rearrangement techniques can be used to create defect-free sub-lattices. Lattice atoms can also be used as a reservoir for a set of selected sites. This allows quick replacement of atoms, and increased data rate, without reloading from a MOT.more » « less
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We present recent progress towards building a neutral atom quantum computer. We use a new design for a blue-detuned optical lattice to trap single Cs atoms. The lattice is created using a combination of diffractive elements and acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) which give a reconfigurable set of cross-hatched lines. By using AODs, we can vary the number of traps and size of the trapping regions as well as eliminate extraneous traps in Talbot planes. Since this trap uses blue-detuned light, it traps both ground state atoms and atoms excited to the Rydberg state; moreover, by tuning the size of the trapping region, we can make the traps “magic” for a selected Rydberg state. We use an optical tweezer beam for atom rearrangement. When loading atoms into the array, trap sites randomly contain zero or one atoms. Atoms are then moved between different trapping sites using a red-detuned optical tweezer. Optimal atom rearrangement is calculated using the “Hungarian Method”. These rearrangement techniques can be used to create defect-free sub-lattices. Lattice atoms can also be used as a reservoir for a set of selected sites. This allows quick replacement of atoms, and increased data rate, without reloading from a MOT.more » « less
- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
-
Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0131429
