Velocity Selection to Enable Direct Measurement of Strong Single Atom - Optical Cavity Coupling
Abstract
This thesis evaluates whether a velocity selector can sufficiently reduce Doppler broadening of a concentric optical cavity coupled to single atoms in an atomic beam so that the normal mode splitting can be observed. A simplified model of the atom-cavity system as undamped coupler oscillators is used to derive the coupling strength. The theory of velocity selectors is reviewed and a density reduction formula is derived and studied. Considerations for building a velocity selector for an atom-cavity experiment are examined. A tentative inclusion of cavity Doppler broadening in a semi-classical theory is presented. Experiments are presented which show good agreement to theory for density reduction at high velocity selector speeds and an additional density loss of 50% when selecting atoms less than 20% of thermal velocity. Data shows both effusive and supersonic beams. Keywords: Optical cavity coupling; Physics; Cavity Q.E.D.; Velocity selector, Doppler broadening; Theses; Electromagnetism; Couplers; Spectroscopy Single atom.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 04, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223060
Entities
People
- Michael E. Donovan
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology