Studies of Multi-Frequency Optical Forces
Abstract
SUMMARY:The present grant, N00014-19-1-2050, has supported significant progress in the behavior of atoms in non-monochromatic light., Some of the challenges that we proposed in the 2018 proposal have been met, others have been delayed by COVID. The details of som,e of these accomplishments are in the main text of this proposal, and include descriptions of our work in adiabatic rapid passage, t, interactions, and a brief summary of our alumni s successes. Our past and planned experiments target the triplet states of He atom,s because of several special advantages that make them ideal for fundamental studies of the interaction between atoms and light, as,well as exploration of optical forces in multi-frequency light.We propose new experimental and theoretical investigation of the opti,cal forces in non-monochromatic light. These derive from purely stimulatedprocesses that involve two transitions driven by differen,t laser fields. Thus they are inherently non-linear so that coherence effects play an important role. Their velocity dependence, h,ence cooling capability, derives from non-adiabatic processes that do {bf not} depend on spontaneous emission. We propose continua,tion of our present experiments along these lines. Also, we have developed a rigorous measure of the absolute efficiency for STIRAP, excitation of Rydberg states via a two step process, and plan to test it on the excitation of Rydberg states of He.Although there h,as been a trend in AMO physics toward many-body experiments such as BEC, quantum Fermi gases, cold plasmas, etc., in our laboratory,we have resisted this flow. There is no shortage of fascinating and eventually applicable problems in ``single atom physics" so we c,ontinue to foc,t of QIS that requires rapid production of cold atoms as well as single or few atoms. Rydberg blockade experiments especially need,such simplification.ONR OBJECTIVESBasic research has always provided the foundations for development whose extensions may ultimately, contribute to the mission of the Navy. Over the years our program has succeeded in fulfilling the objectives of the ONR in two dif,ferent ways. First, the advancement of the state of knowledge about atomic cooling and behavior in light fields can provide the bas,he Navy.Second, we have always been successful in providing personnel from our labs with very broad training that enables them to so,lve difficult and complex technological problems. During the current three-year grant period we have graduated a new Ph.D. who has,taken a job in the optics industry that depends on his technological expertise of interest to the Navy. Also, a Master s of Science,in Instrumentation graduate has also found an excellent job in the optics industry. They are both competent in the areas needed to,provide advanced capabilities for navigation, communication, weaponry, optical miniaturization, time and frequency standards, and a,host of others. It may not be possible for us to make devices that can be used for these systems, but it must be remembered that th,is is still the {bf basic} research that will enable them. Two other students graduations have been delayed by the COVID stoppage,s.There are both basic and applied research components in this planned program, and strong connections between them. Our exploration, of new kinds of optical forces can provide intense, cold samples of molecules, and for making ultracold gases in small spaces with,highly compressed apparatus that could be of interest for QIS, space research, field applications, readily portable clocks, robust a,tom interferometers, etc.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212072
Entities
People
- Harold Metcalf
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Research Foundation for the State University of New York
- United States Navy