Direct loading of atoms from a macroscopic quadrupole magnetic trap into a microchip trap

We demonstrate the direct loading of cold atoms into a microchip 2-mm Z-trap, where the evaporative cooling can be performed efficiently, from a macroscopic quadrupole magnetic trap with a high loading efficiency. The macroscopic quadrupole magnetic trap potential is designed to be moveable by controlling the currents of the two pairs of anti-Helmholtz coils. The cold atoms are initially prepared in a standard six-beam magneto-optical trap and loaded into the macroscopic quadrupole magnetic trap, and then transported to the atom chip surface by moving the macroscopic trap potential. By means of a three-dimensional absorption imaging system, we are able to optimize the position alignment of the atom cloud in the macroscopic trap and the microchip Z-shaped wire. Consequently, with a proper magnetic transfer scheme, we load the cold atoms into the microchip Z-trap directly and efficiently. The loading efficiency is measured to be about 50%.This approach can be used to generate appropriate ultracold atoms sources, for example, for a magnetically guided atom interferometer based on atom chip.     

Accumulation of Stark-decelerated NH molecules in a magnetic trap

Here we report on the accumulation of ground-state NH molecules in a static magnetic trap. A pulsed supersonic beam of NH (a¹Δ) radicals is produced and brought to a near standstill at the center of a quadrupole magnetic trap using a Stark decelerator. There, optical pumping of the metastable NH radicals to the X³Σ^? ground state is performed by driving the spin-forbidden A³Π ← a¹Δ transition, followed by spontaneous A → X emission. The resulting population in the various rotational levels of the ground state is monitored via laser induced fluorescence detection. A substantial fraction of the ground-state NH molecules stays confined in the several milliKelvin deep magnetic trap. The loading scheme allows one to increase the phase-space density of trapped molecules by accumulating packets from consecutive deceleration cycles in the trap. In the present experiment, accumulation of six packets is demonstrated to result in an overall increase of only slightly over a factor of two, limited by the trap-loss and reloading rates.     

Stark-potential evaporative cooling of polar molecules in a novel optical-access opened electrostatic trap

We propose a novel optical-access opened electrostatic trap to study the Stark-potential evaporative cooling of polar molecules by using two charged disk electrodes with a central hole of radius r0= 1.5 mm, and derive a set of new analytical equations to calculate the spatial distributions of the electrostatic field in the above charged-disk layout. Afterwards, we calculate the electric-field distributions of our electrostatic trap and the Stark potential for cold ND3 molecules, and analyze the dependences of both the electric field and the Stark potential on the geometric parameters of our charged-disk scheme,and find an optimal condition to form a desirable trap with the same trap depth in the x, y, and z directions. Also, we propose a desirable scheme to realize an efficient loading of cold polar molecules in the weak-field-seeking states, and investigate the dependences of the loading efficiency on both the initial forward velocity of the incident molecular beam and the loading time by Monte Carlo simulations. Our study shows that the maximal loading efficiency of our trap scheme can reach about 95%, and the corresponding temperature of the trapped cold molecules is about 28.8 m K. Finally, we study the Stark-potential evaporative cooling for cold polar molecules in our trap by the Monte Carlo method, and find that our simulated evaporative cooling results are consistent with our developed analytical model based on trapping-potential evaporative cooling.     

A controllable double-well optical trap for cold atoms (or molecules) using a binary <Emphasis Type="Italic">π</Emphasis>-phase plate: experimental demonstration and Monte Carlo simulation

We experimentally demonstrate a practical scheme to form a controllable double-well optical dipole trap for cold atoms (or cold molecules), and give some experimental results as well as the fabrication method of a binary π-phase plate. The dependence of the double-well characteristics on the phase etching error of the π-phase plate and the evolution of the double-well optical trap from two wells to a single one are studied both theoretically and experimentally, and the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical prediction. Furthermore, the dynamic process of loading and splitting of cold ⁸⁷Rb atoms from a standard magneto-optical trap (MOT) into our controllable double-well one are studied by Monte Carlo simulations. Our study shows that the loading efficiency of cold atoms from the standard MOT into our single-well trap can reach 100%, and the relative atomic density will be reduced from 1.0 to ∼0.5 during the evolution of our double-well trap, in which the temperature of cold atoms is reduced from 20 μK to ∼15 μK. In final, some potential applications of our controllable double-well optical trap in atom and molecule optics are briefly discussed.     

Two types of highly efficient electrostatic traps for single loading or multi-loading of polar molecules

Two novel electrostatic traps named octopole-based disk electrostatic trap(ODET)and tubular-based disk electrostatic trap(TDET)are proposed for trapping cold polar molecules in low-field-seeking states.Using MgF as the target molecule,single loading and multi-loading methods are numerically simulated with varied incident velocities of slow molecular beams in the two types of traps,respectively.In ODET,with an incident velocity of 10 m/s,a highest loading efficiency of 78.4% or 99.9% has been achieved under the single loading or multi-loading operation mode.In TDET,with an incident velocity of 11 m/s,a highest loading efficiency of 81.6% or 106.5% has been achieved using the two loading methods,respectively.With such high loading efficiencies,the trapped cold molecules can be applied in the researches of cold collisions,high precision spectroscopy,and precision measurements.Especially,together with a blue-detuned hollow beam,the new electrostatic traps proposed here offer a new platform for the following gradient-intensity cooling of MgF molecules,which may provide a new way to produce high density ultracold molecules.     

磁光阱中单原子荧光信号的优化及单原子的高效装载

实验中首先通过增大四极磁场梯度、提高背景真空度、缩小冷却俘获激光光束直径的方法获得了磁光阱中单原子的装载.其次,通过减小冷却光失谐量、适当增加其光强、同时使用偏振光谱锁频技术抑制冷却光噪声的方法得到了磁光阱中高信号背景比的单原子荧光信号.此外,通过实时反馈控制磁光阱四极磁场梯度的方法,在实验中实现了单原子98%的装载概率.使用Hamburg Brown-Twiss方案测量了磁光阱中的单原子在连续光激发下所辐射荧光的光子统计特性,得到二阶关联度g(2)(τ=0)=0.09.     

A versatile electrostatic trap with open optical access

A versatile electrostatic trap with open optical access for cold polar molecules in weak-field-seeking state is proposed in this paper. The trap is composed of a pair of disk electrodes and a hexapole. With the help of a finite element software, the spatial distribution of the electrostatic field is calculated. The results indicate that a three-dimensional closed electrostatic trap is formed. Taking ND₃ molecules as an example, the dynamic process of loading and trapping is simulated. The results show that when the velocity of the molecular beam is 10 m/s and the loading time is 0.9964 ms, the maximum loading efficiency reaches 94.25% and the temperature of the trapped molecules reaches about 30.3 mK. A single well can be split into two wells, which is of significant importance to the precision measurement and interference of matter waves. This scheme, in addition, can be further miniaturized to construct one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional spatial electrostatic lattices.     

Continuous loading of an electrostatic trap for polar molecules

A continuously operated electrostatic trap for polar molecules is demonstrated. The trap has a volume of approximately 0.6 cm3 and holds molecules with a positive Stark shift. With deuterated ammonia from a quadrupole velocity filter, a trap density of approximately 10(8) cm(-3) is achieved with an average lifetime of 130 ms and a motional temperature of approximately 300 mK. The trap offers good starting conditions for high-precision measurements, and can be used as a first stage in cooling schemes for molecules and as a "reaction vessel" in cold chemistry.     

芯片表面的冷极性分子静电阱与微阱阵列

提出一种利用三根载荷金属杆来实现在芯片表面陷俘冷极性分子的静电阱.给出空间静电场等高线分布.通过调节电极电压操控阱中心距离芯片表面的高度.用经典的蒙特卡罗方法模拟冷分子被装载和囚禁的动力学过程.方案对中心速度为11 m·s^-1的冷分子束,最大装载效率可以达到40%,阱中分子的温度大约为25 mK.方案可以进一步微型化、集成化,形成一维和二维静电微阱阵列,在量子计算、低维物理等方面有应用价值.     

Simple and efficient magnetic transport of cold atoms using moving coils for the production of Bose–Einstein condensation

We have developed a simple magnetic transport method for the efficient loading of cold atoms into a magnetic trap. Laser-cooled ⁸⁷Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are transferred to a quadrupole magnetic trap and they are then transported as far as 50 cm by moving magnetic trap coils with a low excess heating of atoms. A light induced atom desorption technique helps to reduce the collision loss during the magnetic transport. Using this method, we can load cold ⁸⁷Rb atoms into a magnetic trap in an ultra high vacuum chamber with high efficiency, and we can produce ⁸⁷Rb condensate atoms. PACS 39.25.+k; 32.80.Pj; 03.75.Pp     

一种可控的Ioffe型冷分子表面微电阱

囚禁于阱中的粒子(原子或分子)可获得更长的相互作用时间,因而在精密测量中可获得更高的分辨率.阱中的粒子与外界隔离,从而可以被冷却到更低的温度.因此原子(或分子)阱已广泛应用到许多研究领域.然而中心电场强度为零的势阱会导致粒子发生非绝热跃迁,这是原子或分子损失的主要来源.该损失曾是制备原子玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚的最后一道障碍.本文提出了一种可控的Ioffe型表面微电阱,其电场强度处处不为零,可有效避免分子的非绝热损失.另外,通过调节电压等参数,势阱中心电场强度以及势阱中心距芯片表面的高度可以在较大范围内调节,例如在本文参数下,势阱中心电场强度可在0.15—5.5 kV/cm变化,势阱中心高度可在6.0—17.0μm变化.本文通过有限元软件计算了芯片表面微电阱的电场分布,并用Monte Carlo模拟验证了该方案的可行性.该表面微电阱不仅可用于分子芯片的集成,而且可用于表面量子简并气体的制备.为精密测量、量子计算、表面冷碰撞和冷化学等领域提供了一个平台.     

Deceleration and electrostatic trapping of OH radicals

A pulsed beam of ground state OH radicals is slowed down using a Stark decelerator and is subsequently loaded into an electrostatic trap. Characterization of the molecular beam production, deceleration, and trap loading process is performed via laser induced fluorescence detection inside the quadrupole trap. Depending on the details of the trap loading sequence, typically 10(5) OH (X2Pi(3/2),J=3/2) radicals are trapped at a density of around 10(7) cm(-3) and at temperatures in the 50-500 mK range. The 1/e trap lifetime is around 1.0 s.     

Theoretical derivation and simulation of a versatile electrostatic trap for cold polar molecules

We propose a versatile electrostatic trap scheme using several charged spherical electrodes and a bias electric held.We hrst give the two-ball scheme and derive the analytical solution of the electric held.In order to make a comparison,we also give the numerical solution calculated by the hnite element software(Ansoft Maxwell).Considering the loading of cold polar molecules into the trap,we give the three-ball scheme.We hrst give the analytical and numerical solutions of the distribution of the electric held.Then we simulate the dynamic process of the loading and trapping cold molecules using the classical Monte Carlo method.We analyze the influence of the velocity of the incident molecular beam and the loading time on the loading efficiency.After that,we give the temperature of the trapped cold molecules.Our study shows that the loading efficiency can reach 82%,and the corresponding temperature of the trapped molecules is about 24.6 mK.At last,we show that the single well divides into two ones by increasing the bias electric held or decreasing the voltages applied to the spherical electrodes.     

Trapped ion density distribution in the presence of He-buffer gas

The spatial density distribution of Ba⁺ ions, confined in a rf quadrupole trap, has been measured by laser scanning across the trap. This allows to determine the ion temperature, assuming thermal equilibrium. Under UHV conditions the average ion energy has been found to be one tenth of the trap potential well depth. Collisions with He at pressures up to 5×10⁻⁶ mbar reduce the ion temperature by a factor of 3.     

Long distance magnetic conveyor for precise positioning of ultracold atoms

We describe a chip-based magnetic conveyor that transports ultracold atoms with high positioning accuracy over long distances, into an interaction region which is well separated from the magneto-optical trap and gives good optical access to the atoms. The conveyor can work in two different modes, with or without external bias field. The transport potential is generated by a two-layer conductor pattern, enabling a significantly smoother transport than our earlier single-layer conveyor. This is confirmed by numerical field calculations, using an optimization procedure that minimizes shape deformations as well as deviations from the linear transport path. We experimentally demonstrate the use of this conveyor in the mode with external bias field, transporting a cloud of cold atoms over a linear distance of 6 cm and a total distance of 24 cm. We also describe an on-chip quadrupole trap that can be rotated by π/2. This trap is used to remove design constraints on the orientation of the laser beams in the surface magneto-optical trap. The long-distance conveyor is a versatile tool for experiments with trapped cold atoms, and can achieve sub-micrometric positioning precision. Possible applications of this tool are discussed.     

一种针对弱场搜寻态冷极性分子的可控静电表面囚禁方案

提出一种使用带电金属环和六个球电极和一个外加偏置电场实现对冷极性分子静电囚禁的新方案.计算装载和囚禁时空间电场分布.囚禁中心距离芯片表面的高度可以通过外电场和环形电极所加电压来操控.蒙特卡罗模拟表明对于中心速度为15 m·s^-1的ND₃分子束,装载效率可以达到70%,得到冷分子的温度大约为45 mK.当继续增加偏置电场强度时,单阱分裂为对称的两个阱.如果同时改变球形电极上所加电压,得到不对称的两个阱,可以借此来调节两个阱中所囚禁的冷分子数目的比例.为了易于理解,用蒙特卡罗方法模拟了装载、囚禁、分裂冷分子波包的动力学过程.     

基于磁悬浮大体积交叉光学偶极阱的Dimple光阱装载研究

三维拉曼边带冷却后的铯原子样品装载于一个磁悬浮的大体积交叉光学偶极阱中, 继续加载一个小体积的光学偶极阱后, 实现了Dimple光学偶极阱对铯原子的高效装载. 对不同磁场下磁悬浮大体积光阱的有效装载势能进行理论分析与实验测量, 得出最优化的梯度磁场和均匀偏置磁场, 获得了基于磁悬浮大体积光阱的Dimple光学偶极阱的装载势能曲线, 实现了Dimple光学偶极阱对经拉曼边带冷却后俘获在磁悬浮的大体积光阱中的铯原子样品的有效装载. 比较了Dimple光学偶极阱分别从拉曼边带冷却、大体积的交叉光阱和消除反俘获势后的磁悬浮大体积光阱装载的结果, 将俘获在磁悬浮大体积光阱中的铯原子样品装载到Dimple光学偶极阱, 铯原子样品的密度提高了约15倍.     

Bose-Einstein condensation of 87Rb in a levitated crossed dipole trap

We report an apparatus and method capable of producing Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) of ～1 × 10^{6 87}Rb atoms, and ultimately designed for sympathetic cooling of ¹³³Cs and the creation of ultracold RbCs molecules. The method combines several elements: (i) the large recapture of a magnetic quadrupole trap from a magneto-optical trap; (ii) efficient forced RF evaporation in such a magnetic trap; (iii) the gain in phase-space density obtained when loading the magnetically trapped atoms into a far red-detuned optical dipole trap, and (iv) efficient evaporation to BEC within the dipole trap. We demonstrate that the system is capable of sympathetically cooling the |F = 1, m _F = ?1〉 and |1,0? sublevels with |1, +1〉 atoms. Finally we discuss the applicability of the method to sympathetic cooling of ¹³³Cs with ⁸⁷Rb.     

An optimized ion trap geometry to measure quadrupole shifts of ~(171)Yb~+ clocks

We propose a new ion-trap geometry to carry out accurate measurements of the quadrupole shifts in the ~(171)Yb ion.This trap will minimize the quadrupole shift due to the harmonic component of the confining potential by an order of magnitude.This will be useful to reduce the uncertainties in the clock frequency measurements of the 6s ~2S_(1/2)→4f~(13)6s~2 ~2F_(7/2)and 6s ~2S_(1/2)→5d~2D_(3/2) transitions,from which we can deduce the precise values of the quadrupole moments(0s) of the 4f~(13)6s~2 ~2F_(7/2) and 5d~2D_(3/2) states.Moreover,it may be able to affirm the validity of the measured 0 value of the4f~(13)6s~2~2F_(7/2) state,for which three independent theoretical studies defer almost by one order of magnitude from the measurement.We also calculate 0s using the relativistic coupled-cluster(RCC) method.We use these 0 values to estimate the quadrupole shift that can be measured in our proposed ion trap experiment.     

Isotope separation by nonlinear resonances in a Paul trap

Deviations from the ideal quadrupole potential in a Paul ion trap create nonlinear resonances at certain operating points inside the stability diagram, where in the absence of potential pertubations storing times are very long. In the presence of those pertubations, however, the ions are lost from the trap. Since these resonances are mass dependent and the mass resolution is of the order of 100 it can be used to separate isotopes of a given element by choosing suitable trap operating conditions. Experiments on a natural mixture of Eu⁺ ions of mass 151 and 153 show that in a simple way, by proper choice of the operating point, the ions can be completely separated and laser-induced optical spectra of a single isotope can be received. This is the first time that mass separation in a Paul trap is performed by nonlinear effects in contrast to the usual way of using the mass dependent boundaries of the stability diagram