Single-photon atomic cooling

We report the cooling of an atomic ensemble with light, where each atom scatters only a single photon on average. This is a general method that does not require a cycling transition and can be applied to atoms or molecules that are magnetically trapped. We discuss the application of this new approach to the cooling of hydrogenic atoms for the purpose of precision spectroscopy and fundamental tests.     

Fundamental symmetries studies with cold trapped francium atoms at ISAC

Francium combines a heavy nucleus (Z = 87) with the simple atomic structure of alkalis and is a very promising candidate for precision tests of fundamental symmetries such as atomic parity non-conservation measurements. Fr has no stable isotopes, and the ISAC radioactive beam facility at TRIUMF, equipped with an actinide target, promises to provide record quantities of Fr atoms, up to 10¹⁰/s for some isotopes. We discuss our plans for a Fr on-line laser trapping facility at ISAC and experiments with samples of cold Fr atoms. We outline our plans for a measurement of the nuclear anapole moment – a parity non-conserving, time-reversal conserving moment that arises from weak interactions between nucleons – in a chain of Fr isotopes. Its measurement is a unique probe for neutral weak interactions inside the nucleus.      

Studies of light halo nuclei by the isotope shift method

Recent advances in atomic theory make possible the determination of nuclear charge radii for light isotopes from their isotope shift relative to other known isotopes. This method provides a unique measurement tool for the halo nuclei such as ⁶He and ¹¹Li. The theoretical techniques are reviewed and applied to recent measurements performed at Argonne, GSI, and TRIUMF.     

Raman sideband cooling of rubidium atoms in optical lattice

We develop a simple and practical scheme to apply sideband cooling to a cloud of rubidium atoms. A sample containing 4 × 10~(70) ~(87)Rb is trapped in a far red detuned optical lattice. Through optimizing the relevant parameters, i.e., laser detuning, magnetic field, polarization, and duration time, a temperature around 1.5 μK and phase space density close to 1/500 are achieved. Compared with polarization gradient cooling, the temperature decreases by around one order of magnitude. This technique could be used in high precision measurement such as atomic clocks and atom interferometer. It could also serve as a precooling means before evaporation cooling in a dipole trap, and may be a promising method of achieving quantum degeneracy with purely optical means.     

光和原子关联与量子计量

物理量的测量与单位标准的统一推动了计量学的发展.量子力学的建立,激光技术的发明以及原子与分子物理学的发展,在原理与技术上进一步刷新了计量学的研究内涵,特别是激光干涉与原子频标技术的发展,引起了计量学革命性的飞跃.基于激光干涉的引力波测量、激光陀螺仪,基于原子干涉的原子钟、原子陀螺仪等精密测量技术相继诞生,一个以量子物理为基础,探索与开拓物理量精密测量方法与技术的新的科学分支——量子计量学(Quantum Metrology)已然兴起.干涉是计量学中最常用的相位测量方法.量子干涉技术,其相位测量精度能够突破标准量子极限的限制,是量子计量学与量子测量技术的核心研究内容.本文重点介绍近几年我们在量子干涉方面所取得的新开拓与新发展,主要内容包括基于原子系综中四波混频过程的SU(1,1)型光量子关联干涉仪和基于原子系综中拉曼散射过程的光-原子混合干涉仪.     

面向近原子尺度制造的光学测量精度极限分析

纳米级乃至更高精度的测量是原子及近原子尺度制造技术发展的基础和保障.光学测量具有精度高、测量范围广、测量直观等优点,其对单个成像光斑中心的定位可达远超衍射极限的精度.但由于光本身散粒噪声、探测器暗电流噪声等随机性的存在,光学测量存在精度极限.本文基于克拉美罗下界理论发展了可适用于任意强度分布像斑的精度极限计算方法,并以典型艾里斑为例,分析了成像过程中反映信噪比、能量集中度、计算方式的参数对定位精度极限的影响规律并给出提高精度的建议和结论.对实验所得像斑进行了精度极限计算,验证了所得结论对类似艾里斑的像斑的适用性.研究为原子及近原子尺度制造过程中光学测量的应用和优化提供了分析方法和理论指导.     

基于RIBLL2的奇特原子核电荷改变截面实验测量进展

电荷半径是原子核最基本的物理观测量之一,反映了原子核内的质子分布。精确的电荷半径测量是研究奇特原子核结构的重要手段。在相对论能区,通过高精度测量原子核的电荷改变截面来提取电荷半径是近年来发展起来的一种新方法,这种方法尤其适于探索产额很低的奇特原子核。自2013年以来,北京航空航天大学-中国科学院近代物理研究所课题组基于兰州第二条次级束流线（RIBLL2）,提出并建成原子核电荷改变截面测量平台,研制了相关的TOF-△E探测器系统,开展了轻核区二十余个原子核的电荷改变截面的实验测量工作。介绍了实验平台研制情况、初步结果以及下一步计划。Charge radius is one of the most fundamental observables of atomic nuclei, reflecting the proton distributions in nuclei. Their precision measurements have severed as a key tool to study nuclear structure. Recently, a novel method to deduce charge radii has been developed via precise measurements of charge-changing cross sections(CCCS) of exotic nuclei at relativistic energies. This method is in particular suitable for investigation of exotic nuclei with low production yield. In 2013, we proposed to make such measurements for exotic nuclei lighter than oxygen based on the RIBLL2 beam line. Since then, the TOF-△E detector system for particleidentification(PID) and the CCCS platform have been constructed, continuously optimized and tested. So far CCCS measurements on a carbon target have been performed for more than 20 isotopes. In this contribution, we will introduce the progress of detector development, the progress in PID, and our experimental progress and plan.     

Weak interaction studies at SARAF

We review the current status of the radioisotopes program at the Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF), where we utilize an electrostatic-ion-beam trap and a magneto-optical trap for studying the nuclear β-decay from trapped radioactive atoms and ions. The differential energy spectra of β’s and recoil ions emerging from the decay is sensitive to beyond standard model interactions and is complementary to high energy searches. The completed facility SARAF-II will be one of the world’s most powerful deuteron, proton and fast neutron sources, producing light radioactive isotopes in unprecedented amounts, needed for obtaining enough statistics for a high precision measurement.     

Improved short-term stability of optical frequency standards: approaching 1 Hz in 1 s with the Ca standard at 657 nm

For a neutral (40)Ca-based optical frequency standard we report a fractional frequency instability of 4 x 10(-15) in 1 s, which represents a fivefold improvement over existing atomic frequency standards. Using the technique of optical Bordé-Ramsey spectroscopy with a sample of 10(7) trapped atoms, we have resolved linewidths as narrow as 200 Hz (FWHM). With colder atoms this system could potentially achieve an instability as low as 2 x 10(-16) in 1 s. Such low instabilities are important for frequency standards and precision tests of fundamental physics.     

Laser traps for radioactive isotopes

The techniques of laser cooling and trapping now make it possible to observe large samples of stable atoms in a small volume at low temperature. This capability was recently extended to radioactive isotopes. This opens up new opportunities for the investigation of fundamental symmetries through measurements using radioactive atoms. In this paper we will discuss several fundamental measurements in atomic systems and how the ability to trap radioactive atoms will play an important role in improving the precision of such measurements. Measurements of the effects of the weak interaction are of particular note since they are becoming quite precise. In particular, we will describe in detail the system developed at Stony Brook to trap radioactive alkali atoms and measure weak interaction effects in francium isotopes.     

SMILETRAP — Atomic mass measurements with ppb accuracy by using highly charged ions

In the SMILETRAP facility externally produced highly charged ions are captured in a Penning trap and utilized for high precision measurements of atomic masses. Accuracy tests on a ppb level have been performed, using highly charged carbon, oxygen and neon ions. In all cases hydrogen ions served as a reference for the calibration and monitoring of the magnetic field in the trap. Deviations smaller than 3 ppb from the expected results were found in mass measurements of the¹⁶O and²⁰Ne atomic masses. The proton atomic mass, determined from the reference measurements on hydrogen ions, is in good agreement with the accepted value [1]. A direct mass measurement on the⁸⁶Kr-isotope, using trapped⁸⁶Kr²⁹⁺-ions is reported.     

Sub-shot-noise magnetometry with a correlated spin-relaxation dominated alkali-metal vapor

Spin noise sets fundamental limits to the precision of measurements using spin-polarized atomic vapors, such as performed with sensitive atomic magnetometers. Spin squeezing offers the possibility to extend the measurement precision beyond the standard quantum limit of uncorrelated atoms. Contrary to current understanding, we show that, even in the presence of spin relaxation, spin squeezing can lead to a significant reduction of spin noise, and hence an increase in magnetometric sensitivity, for a long measurement time. This is the case when correlated spin relaxation due to binary alkali-atom collisions dominates independently acting decoherence processes, a situation realized in thermal high atom-density magnetometers and clocks.     

Hollow cathode fall field strength measured by Doppler-free two-photon optogalvanic spectroscopy via Stark splitting of the 2S level of hydrogen

It has recently been demonstrated that Doppler-free two-photon optogalvanic spectroscopy is very well suited to measure the strong electric field strength (0.4 kV/cm to 4 kV/cm) present in the cathode fall of hollow cathode discharges, via the Stark splitting of the 2S level of atomic hydrogen and its isotopes. Based on an improved reliability and precision of the measurements, the aim of the present study is to analyze more deeply the dependence of the cathode fall behaviour for a hydrogen discharge on the usual discharge parameters like gas pressure and discharge current; and for changes of the discharge geometry using two different cathode diameters of 10 mm and 15 mm.     

Centrifugal separation of antiprotons and electrons

Centrifugal separation of antiprotons and electrons is observed, the first such demonstration with particles that cannot be laser cooled or optically imaged. The spatial separation takes place during the electron cooling of trapped antiprotons, the only method available to produce cryogenic antiprotons for precision tests of fundamental symmetries and for cold antihydrogen studies. The centrifugal separation suggests a new approach for isolating low energy antiprotons and for producing a controlled mixture of antiprotons and electrons.     

Isotope shift measurements of 11, 9, 7Be+

We have performed precision atomic spectroscopy of trapped radioactive Be isotopes aiming at studies of the charge and magnetization radii of these nuclei especially for a single-neutron halo nucleus ¹¹Be . Some experimental results and the status of the analysis are discussed.     

Einstein Lecture – Passion for precision

Optical frequency combs from mode‐locked femtosecond lasers have link optical and microwave frequencies in a single step, and they provide the long missing clockwork for optical atomic clocks. By extending the limits of time and frequency metrology, they enable new tests of fundamental physics laws. Precise comparisons of optical resonance frequencies of atomic hydrogen and other atoms with the microwave frequency of a cesium atomic clock are establishing sensitive limits for possible slow variations of fundamental constants. Optical high harmonic generation is extending frequency comb techniques into the extreme ultraviolet, opening a new spectral territory to precision laser spectroscopy. Frequency comb techniques are also providing a key to attosecond science by offering control of the electric field of ultrafast laser pulses. In our laboratories at Stanford and Garching, the development of new instruments and techniques for precision laser spectroscopy has long been motivated by the goal of ever higher resolution and measurement accuracy in optical spectroscopy of the simple hydrogen atom which permits unique confrontations between experiment and fundamental theory. This lecture recounts these adventures and the evolution of laser frequency comb techniques from my personal perspective.     

Rydberg hydrogen atom in the presence of uniform magnetic and quadrupolar electric fields

Laser cooling and trapping offers the possibility of confining a sample of radioactive atoms in free space. Here, we address the question of how best to take advantage of cold atom properties to perform the observation of as highly forbidden a line as the 6S-7S Cs transition for achieving, in the longer term, atomic parity violation (APV) measurements in radioactive alkali isotopes. Another point at issue is whether one might do better with stable, cold atoms than with thermal atoms. To compensate for the large drawback of the small number of atoms available in a trap, one must take advantage of their low velocity. To lengthen the time of interaction with the excitation laser, we suggest choosing a geometry where the laser beam exciting the transition is colinear to a slow, cold atomic beam, either extracted from a trap or prepared by Zeeman slowing. We also suggest a new observable physical quantity manifesting APV, which presents several advantages: specificity, efficiency of detection, possibility of direct calibration by a parity conserving quantity of a similar nature. It is well adapted to a configuration where the cold atomic beam passes through two regions of transverse, crossed electric fields, leading both to differential measurements and to strong reduction of the contributions from the M₁-Stark interference signals, potential sources of systematics in APV measurements. Our evaluation of signal-to-noise ratios shows that with available techniques, measurements of transition amplitudes, important as required tests of atomic theory, should be possible in ¹³³Cs with a statistical precision of 10^-3 and probably also in Fr isotopes for production rates of Fr atoms s^-1. For APV measurements to become realistic, some practical realization of the collimation of the atomic beam as well as multiple passages of the excitation beam matching the atomic beam looks essential.Received: 5 March 2003, Published online: 17 July 2003PACS: 32.80.Ys Weak-interaction effects in atoms - 32.70.Cs Oscillator strengths, lifetimes, transition moments - 32.80.Pj Optical cooling of atoms; trapping - 39.90.+d Other instrumentation and techniques for atomic and molecular physicsS. Sanguinetti: Also at E. Fermi Physics Dept., Pisa Univ., Pisa, Italy.     

The TITAN mass measurement facility at TRIUMF-ISAC

The TITAN facility at TRIUMF-ISAC will use four ion traps with the primary goal of determining nuclear masses with high precision, particularly for short lived isotopes with lifetimes down to approximately 10 ms. The design value for the accuracy of the mass measurement is 1 ×10^???8. The four main components in the facility are an RF cooler/buncher (RFCT) receiving the incoming ion beam, an electron beam ion trap (EBIT) to breed the ions to higher charge states, a cooler Penning trap (CPET) to cool the highly charged ions, and finally the measurement Penning trap (MPET) for the precision mass determination. Additional goals for this system are laser spectroscopy on ions extracted from the RFCT and beta spectroscopy in the EBIT (in Penning trap mode) on ions that are purified using selective buffer gas cooling in the CPET. The physics motivation for the mass measurements are manifold, from unitarity tests of the CKM matrix to nuclear structure very far from the valley of stability, nuclear astrophysics and the study of halo-nuclei. As a first measurement the mass of ¹¹Li will be determined. With a lifetime of 8.7 ms and a demonstrated production rate of 4×10⁴ ions/sec at ISAC the goal for this measurement at TITAN is a relative uncertainty of 5×10^???8. This would check previous conflicting measurements and provide information for nuclear theory and models.     

Conditional spin squeezing of a large ensemble via the vacuum Rabi splitting

We use the vacuum Rabi splitting to perform quantum nondemolition measurements that prepare a conditionally spin squeezed state of a collective atomic psuedospin. We infer a 3.4(6) dB improvement in quantum phase estimation relative to the standard quantum limit for a coherent spin state composed of uncorrelated atoms. The measured collective spin is composed of the two-level clock states of nearly 10(6) (87)Rb atoms confined inside a low finesse F=710 optical cavity. This technique may improve atomic sensor precision and/or bandwidth, and may lead to more precise tests of fundamental physics.