Ultra-Stable Laser for Achieving Ultra-Low Temperature Atomic Gases
Abstract
Approach:In summary, we have described our experimental program to realize novel states of matter with ultracold atomic gases. Our focus is on the Hubbard model, a paradigmatic model of strongly correlated matter, which may contain the essence of high-temperaturesuperconductivity. Further progress in this field requires that our community develop new methods for cooling quantum gases that are capable of realizing even lower temperatures than is currently possible. We have developed the method of the compensated lattice that enables evaporative cooling in the lattice. This method has resulted in the lowering of the lattice temperatures by a factor of 2 below previously set benchmarks. We believe that the intensity and frequency stability of proposed Mephisto laser system will result in significantly less heating, and thus a lower temperature in the lattice. The low-noise Mephisto will produce lessheating in optical traps, as well as in lattices, which can aid in efforts to build ultra-sensitive time-keeping and guidance systems important to the DoD mission.Objective:The ability to cool atomic gases to even lower temperatures than previously achieved has important implications for improving the accuracy and stability of devices and sensors relying on ultra-cold atoms, and is, in fact, necessary for achieving many novel phases of matter, including topological states of matter and analogs of high-temperature superconductors. We havedeveloped the compensated optical lattice method to cool atoms by evaporation directly in the optical lattice. This development has enabled us to detect antiferromagnetic correlations in a realization of the Hubbard model. The lowest achievable temperature, however, is constrained by the balance of cooling by evaporation with heating from heating, especially technical noise sources such as laser intensity noise. We propose here to purchase a laser, a Mephisto MOPA, with ultra-low intensity fluctuations to produce an optical lattice with the lowest possible heating rate.Naval Relevance:We believe that the intensity and frequency stability of proposed Mephisto laser system will result in significantly less heating, and thus a lower temperature in the lattice. The low-noise Mephisto will produce lessheating in optical traps, as well as in lattices, which can aid in efforts to build ultra-sensitive time-keeping and guidance systems important to the DoD mission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612717
Entities
People
- Randall G. Hulet
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Rice University
- United States Navy