We present a simple technique for stabilization of a laser frequency off resonance using the Faraday effect in a heated vapor cell with an applied magnetic field. In particular we demonstrate stabilization of a 780 nm laser detuned up to 14 GHz from the 85 Rb D 2 5 2 S 1/2 F = 2 to 5 2 P 3/2 F ′ = 3 transition. Control of the temperature of the vapor cell and the magnitude of the applied magnetic field allows locking ∼6-14 GHz red and blue detuned from the atomic line. We obtain an rms fluctuation of 7 MHz over one hour without stabilization of the cell temperature or magnetic field.

Fundamental optics such as lenses and prisms work by applying phase shifts of several radians to incoming light, and rapid control of such phase shifts is crucial to telecommunications. However, large, controllable optical phase shifts have remained elusive for isolated quantum systems. We have used a single trapped atomic ion to induce and measure a large optical phase shift of 1.3±0.1 radians in light scattered by the atom. Spatial interferometry between the scattered light and unscattered illumination light enables us to isolate the phase shift in the scattered component. The phase shift achieves the maximum value allowed by atomic theory over the accessible range of laser frequencies, pointing out new opportunities in microscopy and nanophotonics. Single-atom phase shifts of this magnitude open up new quantum information protocols, in particular long-range quantum phase-shift-keying cryptography.

The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-pro t purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. We report a simple method for the creation of Bose-Einstein condensates of 85 Rb by direct evaporation in a crossed optical dipole trap. The independent control of the trap frequencies and magnetic bias field afforded by the trapping scheme permits full control of the trapped atomic sample, enabling the collision parameters to be easily manipulated to achieve efficient evaporation in the vicinity of the 155 G Feshbach resonance. We produce nearly pure condensates of up to 4 × 10 4 atoms and demonstrate the tunable nature of the atomic interactions.

Citation for published item:r¤ ndelD F nd w r h ntD eF vF nd ilesD F F nd ropkinsD F eF nd gornishD F vF @PHIPA 9w gneti tr nsport pp r tus for the produ tion of ultr old tomi g ses in the vi inity of diele tri surf eF9D eview of s ienti( instrumentsFD VQ @IAF HIQIHSFFurther information on publisher's website:PHIP emeri n snstitute of hysi sF his rti le m y e downlo ded for person l use onlyF eny other use requires prior permission of the uthor nd the emeri n snstitute of hysi sF he following rti le ppe red in r¤ ndelD F nd w r h ntD eF vF nd ilesD F F nd ropkinsD F eF nd gornishD F vF @PHIPA 9w gneti tr nsport pp r tus for the produ tion of ultr old tomi g ses in the vi inity of diele tri surf eF9D eview of s ienti( instrumentsFD VQ @IAF HIQIHS nd m y e found t httpXGGdxFdoiForgGIHFIHTQGIFQTUTITI Additional information: Use policyThe full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-pro t purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. We present an apparatus designed for studies of atom-surface interactions using quantum degenerate gases of 85 Rb and 87 Rb in the vicinity of a room temperature dielectric surface. The surface to be investigated is a super-polished face of a glass Dove prism mounted in a glass cell under ultra-high vacuum. To maintain excellent optical access to the region surrounding the surface, magnetic transport is used to deliver ultracold atoms from a separate vacuum chamber housing the magneto-optical trap (MOT). We present a detailed description of the vacuum apparatus highlighting the novel design features; a low profile MOT chamber and the inclusion of an obstacle in the transport path. We report the characterization and optimization of the magnetic transport around the obstacle, achieving transport efficiencies of 70% with negligible heating. Finally, we demonstrate the loading of a hybrid optical-magnetic trap with 87 Rb and the creation of Bose-Einstein condensates via forced evaporative cooling close to the dielectric surface.