Construction of a QUEST dipole trap for Rydberg atoms

Author(s)

Luis Felipe Barbosa Faria Gonçalves

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT)
• Defense date: 2012-03-28

Examining board members

Luis Gustavo Marcassa; Celso Jorge Villas Bôas; Leonardo De Boni

• Advisor: Luis Gustavo Marcassa

Abstract

In this work, we describe the implementation of a QUEST dipole trap for Rydberg atoms using a CO2 high power laser. The trapped atomic sample has approximately 3 × 106 85Rb atoms, at a density of 4 × 1011 atoms/cm3 and a temperature of about 30 µK. The trap lifetime is about 200 ms. We observed photoionization of the Rydberg states due to the CO2 laser at 10, 6 µK, however we were unable to quantify it. Furthermore, we measured the 37D state lifetime of the Rb in the dipole trap, the experimental result was in agreement with the literature. In summary, the system is fully operating for more complex experiments. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/11124-7 - Molecular resonances between Rydberg atoms in a dipole TRAP
• Grantee: Luís Felipe Barbosa Faria Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master