184 research outputs found
Tunable Whispering Gallery Mode Resonators for Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics
We theoretically study the properties of highly prolate shaped dielectric
microresonators. Such resonators sustain whispering gallery modes that exhibit
two spatially well separated regions with enhanced field strength. The field
per photon on the resonator surface is significantly higher than e.g. for
equatorial whispering gallery modes in microsphere resonators with a comparable
mode volume. At the same time, the frequency spacing of these modes is much
more favorable, so that a tuning range of several free spectral ranges should
be attainable. We discuss the possible application of such resonators for
cavity quantum electrodynamics experiments with neutral atoms and reveal
distinct advantages with respect to existing concepts.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
A neutral atom quantum register
We demonstrate the realization of a quantum register using a string of single
neutral atoms which are trapped in an optical dipole trap. The atoms are
selectively and coherently manipulated in a magnetic field gradient using
microwave radiation. Our addressing scheme operates with a high spatial
resolution and qubit rotations on individual atoms are performed with 99%
contrast. In a final read-out operation we analyze each individual atomic
state. Finally, we have measured the coherence time and identified the
predominant dephasing mechanism for our register.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Precision preparation of strings of trapped neutral atoms
We have recently demonstrated the creation of regular strings of neutral
caesium atoms in a standing wave optical dipole trap using optical tweezers [Y.
Miroshnychenko et al., Nature, in press (2006)]. The rearrangement is realized
atom-by-atom, extracting an atom and re-inserting it at the desired position
with sub-micrometer resolution. We describe our experimental setup and present
detailed measurements as well as simple analytical models for the resolution of
the extraction process, for the precision of the insertion, and for heating
processes. We compare two different methods of insertion, one of which permits
the placement of two atoms into one optical micropotential. The theoretical
models largely explain our experimental results and allow us to identify the
main limiting factors for the precision and efficiency of the manipulations.
Strategies for future improvements are discussed.Comment: 25 pages, 18 figure
Adiabatic Quantum State Manipulation of Single Trapped Atoms
We use microwave induced adiabatic passages for selective spin flips within a
string of optically trapped individual neutral Cs atoms. We
position-dependently shift the atomic transition frequency with a magnetic
field gradient. To flip the spin of a selected atom, we optically measure its
position and sweep the microwave frequency across its respective resonance
frequency. We analyze the addressing resolution and the experimental robustness
of this scheme. Furthermore, we show that adiabatic spin flips can also be
induced with a fixed microwave frequency by deterministically transporting the
atoms across the position of resonance.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Coherence properties and quantum state transportation in an optical conveyor belt
We have prepared and detected quantum coherences with long dephasing times at
the level of single trapped cesium atoms. Controlled transport by an "optical
conveyor belt" over macroscopic distances preserves the atomic coherence with
slight reduction of coherence time. The limiting dephasing effects are
experimentally identified and are of technical rather than fundamental nature.
We present an analytical model of the reversible and irreversible dephasing
mechanisms. Coherent quantum bit operations along with quantum state transport
open the route towards a "quantum shift register" of individual neutral atoms.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Bayesian feedback control of a two-atom spin-state in an atom-cavity system
We experimentally demonstrate real-time feedback control of the joint
spin-state of two neutral Caesium atoms inside a high finesse optical cavity.
The quantum states are discriminated by their different cavity transmission
levels. A Bayesian update formalism is used to estimate state occupation
probabilities as well as transition rates. We stabilize the balanced two-atom
mixed state, which is deterministically inaccessible, via feedback control and
find very good agreement with Monte-Carlo simulations. On average, the feedback
loops achieves near optimal conditions by steering the system to the target
state marginally exceeding the time to retrieve information about its state.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Symmetric arrangement of mitochondria:plasma membrane contacts between adjacent photoreceptor cells regulated by Opa1
Mitochondria are known to play an essential role in photoreceptor function and survival that enables normal vision. Within photoreceptors, mitochondria are elongated and extend most of the inner-segment length, where they supply energy for protein synthesis and the phototransduction machinery in the outer segment, as well as acting as a calcium store. Here, we examined the arrangement of the mitochondria within the inner segment in detail using three-dimensional (3D) electron microscopy techniques and show they are tethered to the plasma membrane in a highly specialized arrangement. Remarkably, mitochondria and their cristae openings align with those of neighboring inner segments. The pathway by which photoreceptors meet their high energy demands is not fully understood. We propose this to be a mechanism to share metabolites and assist in maintaining homeostasis across the photoreceptor cell layer. In the extracellular space between photoreceptors, MĂŒller glial processes were identified. Due to the often close proximity to the inner-segment mitochondria, they may, too, play a role in the inner-segment mitochondrial arrangement as well as metabolite shuttling. OPA1 is an important factor in mitochondrial homeostasis, including cristae remodeling; therefore, we examined the photoreceptors of a heterozygous Opa1 knockout mouse model. The cristae structure in the Opa1+/â photoreceptors was not greatly affected, but the mitochondria were enlarged and had reduced alignment to neighboring inner-segment mitochondria. This indicates the importance of key regulators in maintaining this specialized photoreceptor mitochondrial arrangement
Continued imaging of the transport of a single neutral atom
We have continuously imaged the controlled motion of a single atom as well as of a small number of distinguishable atoms with observation times exceeding one minute. The Cesium atoms are confined to potential wells of a standing wave optical dipole trap which allows to transport them over macroscopic distances. The atoms are imaged by an intensified CCD camera, and spatial resolution near the diffraction limit is obtained
Double-impulse magnetic focusing of launched cold atoms.
We have theoretically investigated three-dimensional focusing of a launched cloud of cold atoms using a pair of magnetic lens pulses (the alternate-gradient method). Individual lenses focus radially and defocus axially or vice versa. The performance of the two possible pulse sequences are compared and found to be ideal for loading both 'pancake' and 'sausage' shaped magnetic/optical microtraps. It is shown that focusing aberrations are considerably smaller for double-impulse magnetic lenses compared to single-impulse magnetic lenses. An analysis of clouds focused by the double-impulse technique is presented
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