Group Seminar via Zoom: Cavity-Enhanced Microscope for Cold Atoms

Nicola Reiter, (EPFL, Lausanne)
Group meeting via video conference (Zoom)
Tuesday, January 26th, 09:00 (MEZ)

Dealing with the unique situation of partial lock downs worldwide and home office solutions at our Institute due to the current spreading of the Covid 19 virus, we are now holding our group seminars and journal clubs via video conference.
This procedure enables us to continue our research, enhance discussions and exchange important information.

Abstract:

We are setting up a novel type of atom microscope, consisting of ultra-cold Lithium 6 atoms in a highfinesse cavity, combined with high-numerical-aperture optics. Atoms trapped in a micro-tweezer inside the near-concentric cavity interact dispersively with light detuned from the 2S -> 2P transition. Light-shifting the 2P state with a tightly focused beam at 460nm addressing the 2P -> 4D transition, will allow for spatial and temporal control of the atom-cavity coupling. Controlling this coupling will allow for measurements of the atomic density with sub-micron resolution [1], as well as for tuning the cavity-mediated interactions between atoms temporally and spatially, paving the way for novel schemes of quantum simulation. Currently, this optical system has been assembled, characterized, and placed inside the UHV chamber. A MOT cloud of Li6 can be imaged inside the cavity by two-color fluorescence at 671nm and 460nm and atoms are trapped in a standing wave dipole trap of 1342nm inside the cavity. I will summarize the important ideas behind the design, present the current status of our experiment and the next steps towards a working "cavity-microscope", with a focus on the development within the last months, which were part of my master´s project.

[1] Yang, D., et al., PRL 120, 133601, (2018)

If you would like to join our group seminars via Zoom, please contact us for more information.