Experimental Observation of Optically Trapped Atoms

Chu, Steven; Bjorkholm, J. E.; Ashkin, A.; Cable, Alex

doi:10.1103/physrevlett.57.314

Cited by 703 publications

(358 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In its simplest form an optical FORT trap can be created by focusing a single laser beam of wavelength λ f to a waist w f 0 [33,34]. The ground state AC Stark shift due to a far-detuned trapping beam is…”

Section: A Fort Trap Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of a quantum logic device based on dipole-dipole interactions of optically trapped Rydberg atoms

2005

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We present a detailed analysis and design of a neutral atom quantum logic device based on atoms in optical traps interacting via dipole-dipole coupling of Rydberg states. The dominant physical mechanisms leading to decoherence and loss of fidelity are enumerated. Our results support the feasibility of performing single and two-qubit gates at MHz rates with decoherence probability and fidelity errors at the level of 10 −3 for each operation. Current limitations and possible approaches to further improvement of the device are discussed.

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Section: A Fort Trap Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of a quantum logic device based on dipole-dipole interactions of optically trapped Rydberg atoms

2005

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“…The 1967 definition has endured for over four decades, partly because the Cs clock uncertainty of 10 −10 at inception was a significant improvement over the previous definitions, but also because atomic clock technology has evolved enormously up until the present day. In particular, the arrival of laser cooling and trapping techniques [3][4][5][6] played a strong role in aiding this evolution, particularly in enabling the use of much longer Ramsey interrogation periods (giving greater spectral resolution) with slow atoms than was possible with the thermal atoms in a viable atomic beam length. These techniques led directly to the first demonstration of the atomic fountain in sodium in 1989 [7], and quickly led to the first Cs fountain clock by 1991 [8].…”

Section: P Gillmentioning

confidence: 99%

When should we change the definition of the second?

Gill

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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The microwave caesium (Cs) atomic clock has formed an enduring basis for the second in the International System of Units (SI) over the last few decades. The advent of laser cooling has underpinned the development of cold Cs fountain clocks, which now achieve frequency uncertainties of approximately 5 × 10 −16 . Since 2000, optical atomic clock research has quickened considerably, and now challenges Cs fountain clock performance. This has been suitably shown by recent results for the aluminium Al + quantum logic clock, where a fractional frequency inaccuracy below 10 −17 has been reported. A number of optical clock systems now achieve or exceed the performance of the Cs fountain primary standards used to realize the SI second, raising the issues of whether, how and when to redefine it. Optical clocks comprise frequency-stabilized lasers probing very weak absorptions either in a single cold ion confined in an electromagnetic trap or in an ensemble of cold atoms trapped within an optical lattice. In both cases, different species are under consideration as possible redefinition candidates. In this paper, I consider options for redefinition, contrast the performance of various trapped ion and optical lattice systems, and point to potential limiting environmental factors, such as magnetic, electric and light fields, collisions and gravity, together with the challenge of making remote comparisons of optical frequencies between standards laboratories worldwide.

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“…The optical dipole force was first considered to provide a confining mechanism in 1962 [5,6], while the possibility to trap atoms was first proposed by Letokhov [7]. Subsequently, the theoretical background of dipole forces was developed [8,9], and in 1986 the first optical trapping of neutral atoms was reported by Chu et al [10]. The first single atoms confined in an optical dipole trap were reported in 1999 [11], again delayed by two decades compared to the first single trapped ion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optical trapping of an ion

et al. 2010

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For several decades, ions have been trapped by radio frequency (RF) and neutral particles by optical fields. We implement the experimental proof-of-principle for trapping an ion in an optical dipole trap. While loading, initialization and final detection are performed in a RF trap, in between, this RF trap is completely disabled and substituted by the optical trap. The measured lifetime of milliseconds allows for hundreds of oscillations within the optical potential. It is mainly limited by heating due to photon scattering. In future experiments the lifetime may be increased by further detuning the laser and cooling the ion. We demonstrate the prerequisite to merge both trapping techniques in hybrid setups to the point of trapping ions and atoms in the same optical potential.

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Experimental Observation of Optically Trapped Atoms

Cited by 703 publications

References 23 publications

Analysis of a quantum logic device based on dipole-dipole interactions of optically trapped Rydberg atoms

Analysis of a quantum logic device based on dipole-dipole interactions of optically trapped Rydberg atoms

When should we change the definition of the second?

Optical trapping of an ion

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