Observation of Interactions between Trapped Ions and Ultracold Rydberg Atoms

We report on the observation of interactions between ultracold Rydberg atoms and ions in a Paul trap. The rate of observed inelastic collisions, which manifest themselves as charge transfer between the Rydberg atoms and ions, exceeds that of Langevin collisions for ground state atoms by about three orders of magnitude. This indicates a huge increase in interaction strength. We study the effect of the vacant Paul trap's electric fields on the Rydberg excitation spectra. To quantitatively describe the exhibited shape of the ion loss spectra, we need to include the ion-induced Stark shift on the Rydberg atoms. Furthermore, we demonstrate Rydberg excitation on a dipole-forbidden transition with the aid of the electric field of a single trapped ion. Our results confirm that interactions between ultracold atoms and trapped ions can be controlled by laser coupling to Rydberg states. Adding dynamic Rydberg dressing may allow for the creation of spin-spin interactions between atoms and ions, and the elimination of collisional heating due to ionic micromotion in atom-ion mixtures.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, including appendices. Note that the title has been changed in version

ARCHITECTURE OF A MODERN PROCESSING OSCILLOSCOPE

For many applications the functions of a voltmeter, counter, power meter etc. can be provided by a single measurement instrument, the digitizing processing oscilloscope. An instrument featuring these capabilities has to be designed with respect to high speed data transfers and simultaneous calculation of processed waveforms as well as scalar measure- ment functions. This paper describes the architecture of a recently introduced modern processing oscilloscope which is able to perform algebraic and analytical processing on time domain signals as well as various amplitude or time measurements

NEW STRUCTURE OF A FAST HIGH RESOLUTION ADC WITH GOOD LINEARITIES

This paper proposes a new structure of a high speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with high resolution and good linearities. First a coarse survey of common architectures for high speed ADC-s with high resolutions including their drawbacks and limits is given. The principle of the proposed ADC is discussed and electronic circuits, used in this structure, are noted

Trapped ions in Rydberg-dressed atomic gases

We theoretically study trapped ions that are immersed in an ultracold gas of Rydberg-dressed atoms. By off-resonant coupling on a dipole-forbidden transition, the adiabatic atom-ion potential can be made repulsive. We study the energy exchange between the atoms and a single trapped ion and find that Langevin collisions are inhibited in the ultracold regime for these repulsive interactions. Therefore, the proposed system avoids recently observed ion heating in hybrid atom-ion systems caused by coupling to the ion's radio frequency trapping field and retains ultracold temperatures even in the presence of excess micromotion.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures including appendice

Observation of collisions between cold Li atoms and Yb+^+ ions

We report on the observation of cold collisions between $^6$Li atoms and Yb$^+$ ions. This combination of species has recently been proposed as the most suitable for reaching the quantum limit in hybrid atom-ion systems, due to its large mass ratio. For atoms and ions prepared in the $^2S_{1/2}$ ground state, the charge transfer and association rate is found to be at least~10$^{3}$ times smaller than the Langevin collision rate. These results confirm the excellent prospects of $^6$Li--Yb$^+$ for sympathetic cooling and quantum information applications. For ions prepared in the excited electronic states $^2P_{1/2}$, $^2D_{3/2}$ and $^2F_{7/2}$, we find that the reaction rate is dominated by charge transfer and does not depend on the ionic isotope nor the collision energy in the range $\sim$~1--120~mK. The low charge transfer rate for ground state collisions is corroborated by theory, but the $4f$ shell in the Yb$^+$ ion prevents an accurate prediction for the charge transfer rate of the $^2P_{1/2}$, $^2D_{3/2}$ and $^2F_{7/2}$ states. Using \textit{ab initio} methods of quantum chemistry we calculate the atom-ion interaction potentials up to energies of 30$\times 10^3$~cm$^{-1}$, and use these to give qualitative explanations of the observed rates.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures (including appendices

Atomic carbon chains as spin-transmitters: an \textit{Ab initio} transport study

An atomic carbon chain joining two graphene flakes was recently realized in a ground-breaking experiment by Jin {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 102}, 205501 (2009). We present {\it ab initio} results for the electron transport properties of such chains and demonstrate complete spin-polarization of the transmission in large energy ranges. The effect is due to the spin-polarized zig-zag edge terminating each graphene flake causing a spin-splitting of the graphene $\pi_z$ bands, and the chain states. Transmission occurs when the graphene $\pi$-states resonate with similar states in the strongly hybridized edges and chain. This effect should in general hold for any $\pi$-conjugated molecules bridging the zig-zag edges of graphene electrodes. The polarization of the transmission can be controlled by chemically or mechanically modifying the molecule, or by applying an electrical gate

Improvement of lung preservation - From experiment to clinical practice

Background. Reperfusion injury represents a severe early complication following lung transplantation. Among the pathogenetic factors, the high potassium content of Euro-Collins(R) solution is discussed. Material and Methods: In a pig model of orthotopic left-sided lung transplantation we investigated the effect of Euro-Collins solution (EC: n=6) versus low potassium dextran (LPD: Perfadex(R): n = 6). Sham-operated (n = 6) animals served as control. Transplant function, cellular energy metabolism and endothelial morphology served as parameters. In a clinical investigation, 124 patients were evaluated following single (EC: n = 31; LPD n = 37) or double (EC: n = 17; LPD n = 39) lung transplantation, whose organs where preserved with EC (n = 48) or LPD (n = 76). Duration of ischemia, duration of ventilation and stay on ICU were registered. Primary transplant function was evaluated according to AaDO(2) values. Cause of early death (30 days) was declared. Results: Experimental results: After flush with EC and 18 h ischemia, a reduction of tissue ATP content (p < 0.01 vs inital value and LPD) was noted. Endothelial damage after ischemia was severe (p < 0.05 vs control), paO(2) was significantly decreased. Clinical results: In the LPD group, duration of ischemia was longer for the grafts transplanted first (SLTx and DLTx: p = 0.0009) as well as second (2. organ DLTx: p = 0.045). Primary transplant function was improved (day 0: SLTx: p = 0.0015; DLTx: p = 0.0095, both vs EC). Duration of ventilation and stay on ICU were shorter (n.s.). Reperfusion injury-associated death was reduced from 8% (EC) to 0 (LPD). Conclusion: In experimental lung preservation, LPD lead to an improved graft function. These results were confirmed in clinical lung transplantation. Clinical lung preservation, therefore, should be carried out by use of LPD. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Controlling the transport of an ion: Classical and quantum mechanical solutions

We investigate the performance of different control techniques for ion transport in state-of-the-art segmented miniaturized ion traps. We employ numerical optimization of classical trajectories and quantum wavepacket propagation as well as analytical solutions derived from invariant based inverse engineering and geometric optimal control. We find that accurate shuttling can be performed with operation times below the trap oscillation period. The maximum speed is limited by the maximum acceleration that can be exerted on the ion. When using controls obtained from classical dynamics for wavepacket propagation, wavepacket squeezing is the only quantum effect that comes into play for a large range of trapping parameters. We show that this can be corrected by a compensating force derived from invariant based inverse engineering, without a significant increase in the operation time