Rabi flopping between ground and Rydberg states with dipole-dipole atomic interactions

We demonstrate Rabi flopping of small numbers of $\rm{^{87}Rb}$ atoms between ground and Rydberg states with $n\le 43$. Coherent population oscillations are observed for single atom flopping, while the presence of two or more atoms decoheres the oscillations. We show that these observations are consistent with van der Waals interactions of Rydberg atoms.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Fast Ground State Manipulation of Neutral Atoms in Microscopic Optical Traps

We demonstrate Rabi flopping at MHz rates between ground hyperfine states of neutral $^{87}$Rb atoms that are trapped in two micron sized optical traps. Using tightly focused laser beams we demonstrate high fidelity, site specific Rabi rotations with crosstalk on neighboring sites separated by $8 \mu\rm m$ at the level of $10^{-3}$. Ramsey spectroscopy is used to measure a dephasing time of $870 \mu\rm s$ which is $\approx$ 5000 times longer than the time for a $\pi/2$ pulse.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Demonstration of a neutral atom controlled-NOT quantum gate

We present the first demonstration of a CNOT gate between two individually addressed neutral atoms. Our implementation of the CNOT uses Rydberg blockade interactions between neutral atoms held in optical traps separated by \u3e8  μm. Using two different gate protocols we measure CNOT fidelities of F=0.73 and 0.72 based on truth table probabilities. The gate was used to generate Bell states with fidelity F=0.48±0.06. After correcting for atom loss we obtain an a posteriori entanglement fidelity of F=0.58

Rabi oscillations between ground and Rydberg states with dipole-dipole atomic interactions

We demonstrate Rabi oscillations of small numbers of 87Rb atoms between ground and Rydberg states with n≤43. Coherent population oscillations are observed for single atoms, while the presence of two or more atoms decoheres the oscillations. We show that these observations are consistent with van der Waals interactions of Rydberg atoms

Fast ground state manipulation of neutral atoms in microscopic optical traps

We demonstrate Rabi flopping at MHz rates between ground hyperfine states of neutral 87Rb atoms that are trapped in two micron sized optical traps. Using tightly focused laser beams we demonstrate high fidelity, site specific Rabi rotations with cross talk on neighboring sites separated by 8  μm at the level of 10−3. Ramsey spectroscopy is used to measure a dephasing time of 870  μs, which is ≈5000  times longer than the time for a π/2 pulse

Two-dimensional array of microtraps with atomic shift register on a chip

Arrays of trapped atoms are the ideal starting point for developing registers comprising large numbers of physical qubits for storing and processing quantum information. One very promising approach involves neutral atom traps produced on microfabricated devices known as atom chips, as almost arbitrary trap configurations can be realised in a robust and compact package. Until now, however, atom chip experiments have focused on small systems incorporating single or only a few individual traps. Here we report experiments on a two-dimensional array of trapped ultracold atom clouds prepared using a simple magnetic-film atom chip. We are able to load atoms into hundreds of tightly confining and optically resolved array sites. We then cool the individual atom clouds in parallel to the critical temperature required for quantum degeneracy. Atoms are shuttled across the chip surface utilising the atom chip as an atomic shift register and local manipulation of atoms is implemented using a focused laser to rapidly empty individual traps.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Observation of Rydberg blockade between two atoms

We demonstrate experimentally that a single Rb atom excited to the $79d_{5/2}$ level blocks the subsequent excitation of a second atom located more than $10 \mu\rm m$ away. The observed probability of double excitation of $\sim 30$ is consistent with a theoretical model based on calculations of the long range dipole-dipole interaction between atoms.Comment: 4 figure

Phospholipase D signaling: orchestration by PIP2 and small GTPases

Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase D (PLD) leads to the generation of the versatile lipid second messenger, phosphatidic acid (PA), which is involved in fundamental cellular processes, including membrane trafficking, actin cytoskeleton remodeling, cell proliferation and cell survival. PLD activity can be dramatically stimulated by a large number of cell surface receptors and is elaborately regulated by intracellular factors, including protein kinase C isoforms, small GTPases of the ARF, Rho and Ras families and, particularly, by the phosphoinositide, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). PIP2 is well known as substrate for the generation of second messengers by phospholipase C, but is now also understood to recruit and/or activate a variety of actin regulatory proteins, ion channels and other signaling proteins, including PLD, by direct interaction. The synthesis of PIP2 by phosphoinositide 5-kinase (PIP5K) isoforms is tightly regulated by small GTPases and, interestingly, by PA as well, and the concerted formation of PIP2 and PA has been shown to mediate receptor-regulated cellular events. This review highlights the regulation of PLD by membrane receptors, and describes how the close encounter of PLD and PIP5K isoforms with small GTPases permits the execution of specific cellular functions

Teaching Accounting Information Systems in a Practicum Format

Claremont McKenna College (CMC) initiated a formal program (the CMC Practicum Program) for the teaching of experiential learning courses in 1992. During the 1996-97 academic year, the author instituted a one-semester practicum course to assist accounting students in mastering the concepts of accounting information system (AIS) design. This article details both the challenges and advantages incurred in the development of this experiential learning course