Anisotropic interactions between cold Rydberg atoms in spatial microstructures
Abstract
The study of Rydberg atoms is experiencing a renaissance due to recent advances made in this research area, such as the progress towards making quantum gates, the observations of new and exotic types of molecules, the investigation of ultracold plasmas, the development of Rydberg atom quantum optics, the use of Rydberg atoms for precision measurement and the study of many-body dynamics in ultracold Rydberg gases. Although mainly dealing with topics in the area of atomic, molecular and optical physics, cold Rydberg gas physics touches on solid state physics because Rydberg gases can be used to investigate many-body dynamics and quantum phase transitions, quantum information and computing because Rydberg atom quantum gates can be constructed and plasma physics because of the unique ultracold plasmas that can be produced with ultracold Rydberg gases. Of central interest is controlling the interactions between Rydberg atoms so that they may be engineered to make new devices based on quantum entanglement or used to investigate phenomena that can be better understood by taking advantage of this control. The control of such interactions is only possible because cold Rydberg atoms can interact to each other even when separated by tens of microns, such distance is larger than either a human blood cell! or bacteria. Such interaction only are importate when such atoms are cold, about 10 microkelvin above the absolute zero. It is such long range interaction that make these atoms irresistible for quantum computation and other applications. In this project, we propose to investigate the interaction between two individual cold Rydberg atoms in a spatial micro-structure. Such structure will be formed by focusing a few resonant laser beans in a high atomic density sample held in an optical dipole trap. This will allow us to have Rydberg atoms in a well-controlled distance of a few microns. We will be able to investigate the anisotropy of the interaction by introducing a dc electric field in such unique system. The experimental results obtained at the University of S‹o Paulo will be compared with theoretical models developed by a research group at University of Oklahoma. The collaboration between the two groups is unique and allow a synergy for a better understand of cold Rydberg atoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510638
Entities
People
- Luis G Marcassa
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- São Carlos Institute of Physics at the University of São Paulo
- United States Army