19 research outputs found
Precision spectroscopy with two correlated atoms
We discuss techniques that allow for long coherence times in laser
spectroscopy experiments with two trapped ions. We show that for this purpose
not only entangled ions prepared in decoherence-free subspaces can be used but
also a pair of ions that are not entangled but subject to the same kind of
phase noise. We apply this technique to a measurement of the electric
quadrupole moment of the 3d D5/2 state of 40Ca+ and to a measurement of the
linewidth of an ultrastable laser exciting a pair of 40Ca+ ions
Diffusion Resonances in Action Space for an Atom Optics Kicked Rotor with Decoherence
We numerically investigate momentum diffusion rates for the pulse kicked
rotor across the quantum to classical transition as the dynamics are made more
macroscopic by increasing the total system action. For initial and late time
rates we observe an enhanced diffusion peak which shifts and scales with
changing kick strength, and we also observe distinctive peaks around quantum
resonances. Our investigations take place in the context of a system of
ultracold atoms which is coupled to its environment via spontaneous emission
decoherence, and the effects should be realisable in ongoing experiments.Comment: 4 Pages, RevTeX 4, 5 Figures. Updated Figures, Minor Changes to text,
Corrected Reference
Squeezing of Atoms in a Pulsed Optical Lattice
We study the process of squeezing of an ensemble of cold atoms in a pulsed
optical lattice. The problem is treated both classically and
quantum-mechanically under various thermal conditions. We show that a dramatic
compression of the atomic density near the minima of the optical potential can
be achieved with a proper pulsing of the lattice. Several strategies leading to
the enhanced atomic squeezing are suggested, compared and optimized.Comment: Latex, 9 pages, 10 figures, submitted to PR
Nanofabrication by magnetic focusing of supersonic beams
We present a new method for nanoscale atom lithography. We propose the use of
a supersonic atomic beam, which provides an extremely high-brightness and cold
source of fast atoms. The atoms are to be focused onto a substrate using a thin
magnetic film, into which apertures with widths on the order of 100 nm have
been etched. Focused spot sizes near or below 10 nm, with focal lengths on the
order of 10 microns, are predicted. This scheme is applicable both to precision
patterning of surfaces with metastable atomic beams and to direct deposition of
material.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Driving the resonant quantum kicked rotor via extended initial conditions
We study the resonances of the quantum kicked rotor subjected to an extended
initial distribution. For the primary resonances we obtain the dispersion
relation for the map of this system. We find an analytical dependence of the
statistical moments on the shape of the initial distribution. For the secondary
resonances we obtain numerically a similar dependence. This allows us to devise
an extended initial condition which produces an average angular momentum
pointing in a preset direction which increases with time with a preset ratio.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, send to EPJ
The delta-function-kicked rotor: Momentum diffusion and the quantum-classical boundary
We investigate the quantum-classical transition in the delta-kicked rotor and
the attainment of the classical limit in terms of measurement-induced
state-localization. It is possible to study the transition by fixing the
environmentally induced disturbance at a sufficiently small value, and
examining the dynamics as the system is made more macroscopic. When the system
action is relatively small, the dynamics is quantum mechanical and when the
system action is sufficiently large there is a transition to classical
behavior. The dynamics of the rotor in the region of transition, characterized
by the late-time momentum diffusion coefficient, can be strikingly different
from both the purely quantum and classical results. Remarkably, the early time
diffusive behavior of the quantum system, even when different from its
classical counterpart, is stabilized by the continuous measurement process.
This shows that such measurements can succeed in extracting essentially quantum
effects. The transition regime studied in this paper is accessible in ongoing
experiments.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, revtex4 (revised version contains much more
introductory material
Quantum Physics Exploring Gravity in the Outer Solar System: The Sagas Project
We summarise the scientific and technological aspects of the SAGAS (Search
for Anomalous Gravitation using Atomic Sensors) project, submitted to ESA in
June 2007 in response to the Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 call for proposals. The
proposed mission aims at flying highly sensitive atomic sensors (optical clock,
cold atom accelerometer, optical link) on a Solar System escape trajectory in
the 2020 to 2030 time-frame. SAGAS has numerous science objectives in
fundamental physics and Solar System science, for example numerous tests of
general relativity and the exploration of the Kuiper belt. The combination of
highly sensitive atomic sensors and of the laser link well adapted for large
distances will allow measurements with unprecedented accuracy and on scales
never reached before. We present the proposed mission in some detail, with
particular emphasis on the science goals and associated measurements.Comment: 39 pages. Submitted in abridged version to Experimental Astronom
Optical-to-microwave frequency comparison with fractional uncertainty of 10(-15)
We report the technical aspects of the optical-to-microwave comparison for our recent measurements of the optical frequency of the mercury single-ion frequency standard in terms of the SI second as realized by the NIST-F1 cesium fountain clock. Over the course of six years, these measurements have resulted in a determination of the mercury single-ion frequency with a fractional uncertainty of less than 7x10(-16), making it the most accurately measured optical frequency to date. In this paper, we focus on the details of the comparison techniques used in the experiment and discuss the uncertainties associated with the optical-to-microwave synthesis based on a femtosecond laser frequency comb. We also present our most recent results in the context of the previous measurements of the mercury single-ion frequency and arrive at a final determination of the mercury single-ion optical frequency: f(Hg+)= 1064721 609 899 145.30(69) Hz