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Articles 1 - 13 of 13

Full-Text Articles in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics

The Thermodynamic Fate Of Isolated Quantum Systems, John Keim, Isabel Martinez-Robles, Nicolaus A. Chlanda, Sage M. Thomas, Maja Teofilovska, Sarah E. Spielman, Jordyn Strunk, Tina Zhao, Juniper J. Bauroth-Sherman, Hannah Conley, Philip Conte, Aidan Kirk, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel Jun 2025

The Thermodynamic Fate Of Isolated Quantum Systems, John Keim, Isabel Martinez-Robles, Nicolaus A. Chlanda, Sage M. Thomas, Maja Teofilovska, Sarah E. Spielman, Jordyn Strunk, Tina Zhao, Juniper J. Bauroth-Sherman, Hannah Conley, Philip Conte, Aidan Kirk, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

Isolated quantum systems are typically observed to come to thermal equilibrium. The weak Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis (wETH) states that the vast majority of eigenvectors are thermal. This implies that most initial states should thermalize. Studying the rare cases in which they fail to thermalize could reveal insight into quantum dynamics. In our experiment, we excite Rydberg atoms and allow them to exchange energy via dipole-dipole interactions. We find that they do not thermalize. We present numerical and theoretical results that show that our experimental initial state is not typical.


Nonthermalizing Dynamics Of Interacting Rydberg Atoms, Nicolaus A. Chlanda May 2025

Nonthermalizing Dynamics Of Interacting Rydberg Atoms, Nicolaus A. Chlanda

Physics and Astronomy Honors Papers

An isolated system of ultracold Rydberg atoms can come to equilibrium by exchanging energy through dipole-dipole interactions. In our experiment, a static electric field of a few V/cm shifts the energy levels of the atoms, so that the energy levels are nearly degenerate at zero field and fan out with increasing field to form a manifold. We excite atoms to energy levels near the center of the manifold, where the spacing is nearly harmonic. We allow them to interact for a few microseconds, by which time the population of each energy level has reached a steady state. The population is …


Mot-Based Lifetime Measurements Of Potassium-39 5p1/2 And 5p3/2 States, Huan Q. Bui Jan 2021

Mot-Based Lifetime Measurements Of Potassium-39 5p1/2 And 5p3/2 States, Huan Q. Bui

Honors Theses

This thesis presents measurements of the lifetimes of 5p1/2 and 5p3/2 of K39 via exciting a cloud of K39 atoms in a magneto-optical trap by a linearly-polarized pulse of 405 nm light followed polarization-specific, time-resolved fluorescence detection. We find that $\tau_{5p1/2} = $ 138.8 $\pm$ 1.6 ns, which is consistent with past measurements \cite{triumf}, \cite{berends} and calculations \cite{safranova}. The $\tau_{5p3/2}$ measurement is naturally more involved since quantum beats due to hyperfine and Zeeman effect are present. Our observation of $\tau_{5p3/2} =$ 137.6 $\pm$ 3.1 ns and $\tau_{5p3/2} =$ 136.0 $\pm$ 2.4 ns, obtained from two slightly different approaches, are compared …


Improving The State Selectivity Of Field Ionization With Quantum Control, Vincent C. Gregoric, Jason Bennett, Bianca R. Gualtieri, Ankitha Kannad, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Zoe A. Rowley, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel Dec 2018

Improving The State Selectivity Of Field Ionization With Quantum Control, Vincent C. Gregoric, Jason Bennett, Bianca R. Gualtieri, Ankitha Kannad, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Zoe A. Rowley, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The electron signals from the field ionization of two closely spaced Rydberg states of rubidium-85 are separated using quantum control. In selective field ionization, the state distribution of a collection of Rydberg atoms is measured by ionizing the atoms with a ramped electric field. Generally, atoms in higher energy states ionize at lower fields, so ionized electrons which are detected earlier in time can be correlated with higher energy Rydberg states. However, the resolution of this technique is limited by the Stark effect. As the electric field is increased, the electron encounters numerous avoided Stark level crossings which split the …


Catalysis Of Stark-Tuned Interactions Between Ultracold Rydberg Atoms, A. L. Win, W. D. Williams, Thomas J. Carroll, C. I. Sukenik Sep 2018

Catalysis Of Stark-Tuned Interactions Between Ultracold Rydberg Atoms, A. L. Win, W. D. Williams, Thomas J. Carroll, C. I. Sukenik

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have experimentally investigated a catalysis effect in the resonant energy transfer between ultracold 85Rb Rydberg atoms. We studied the time dependence of the process, 34p + 34p → 34s + 35s, and observed an enhancement of 34s state population when 34d state atoms are added.We have also performed numerical model simulations, which are in qualitative agreement with experiment and indicate that the enhancement arises from a redistribution of p-state atoms due to the presence of the d-state atoms.


Implementation And Characterization Of A Magneto-Optical Trap, Michael Anthony Highman Mar 2017

Implementation And Characterization Of A Magneto-Optical Trap, Michael Anthony Highman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Rydberg atoms are those which have their valence electron excited to high principal quantum number n. Atoms in the Rydberg state are the research focus of the experiment from which this paper derives. Rydberg atoms are fragile, and thermal collisions are enough to ionize and destroy the Rydberg state. A magneto-optical trap (MOT) serves the purpose of "ultra-cooling" atoms to temperatures around 140 micro-Kelvin and dramatically reduces the impact of thermal collisions. This paper details the theory and equipment necessary to realize a MOT of rubidium-85. It will then discuss the characterization of the MOT we implemented by a …


Developing An Imaging System To Monitor Atom Traps For Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Jenna Valdez Mar 2017

Developing An Imaging System To Monitor Atom Traps For Neutral Atom Quantum Computing, Jenna Valdez

Physics

Quantum computing exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to exponentially increase computing rate for certain processes. A realized quantum computer could break encryptions and simulate large quantum systems previously unbreakable and unattainable with classical computers. Neutral atom quantum computing is a viable candidate for building these devices that satisfies four of the five criteria for a successful quantum computer. We are exploring a novel method in creating neutral atom qubits that involves a magneto-optical trap and a dipole trap created in the diffraction pattern behind an array of pinholes. The magneto-optical trap works to cool the atoms and centralize them …


Using A Genetic Algorithm To Optimize An Electric Field Ionization Pulse, Tamas Budner Apr 2016

Using A Genetic Algorithm To Optimize An Electric Field Ionization Pulse, Tamas Budner

Physics and Astronomy Honors Papers

Experimentally, we would like to demonstrate the process of selective field ionization of electrons as evidence of quantum control in a system of ultracold rubidium-85 Rydberg atoms. In order to accomplish this, an electric field pulse which is optimized to take an initial Rydberg electron state and produce the desired ionization spectra is necessary. We utilize techniques from artificial intelligence to develop a genetic algorithm for the optimization process. Our algorithm is computationally tested on an artificially constructed quantum system consisting of four energy states. In evaluating the viability of any given field pulse, we calculate the probability of an …


Quantum Interference In The Field Ionization Of Rydberg Atoms, Rachel Feynman, Jacob A. Hollingsworth, Michael Vennettilli, Tamas Budner, Ryan Zmiewski, Donald P. Fahey, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel Oct 2015

Quantum Interference In The Field Ionization Of Rydberg Atoms, Rachel Feynman, Jacob A. Hollingsworth, Michael Vennettilli, Tamas Budner, Ryan Zmiewski, Donald P. Fahey, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We excite ultracold rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap to a coherent superposition of the three |mj | sublevels of the 37d5/2 Rydberg state. After some delay, during which the relative phases of the superposition components can evolve, we apply an electric field pulse to ionize the Rydberg electron and send it to a detector. The electron traverses many avoided crossings in the Stark levels as it ionizes. The net effect of the transitions at these crossings is to mix the amplitudes of the initial superposition into the same final states at ionization. Similar to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the three …


Increased Power And Detuning Of Diode Lasers For Magneto-Optical Trap Of Lithium, Jami Johnson Apr 2011

Increased Power And Detuning Of Diode Lasers For Magneto-Optical Trap Of Lithium, Jami Johnson

Honors Student Works

Precision experiments such as laser cooling and trapping using diode laser systems are increasingly prevalent in the fields of modern atomic, molecular and optical physics. Multiple laser diodes of precise frequencies and significant output power are often needed for such research. Here, a method for injection locking a slave laser to a master laser stabilized to an atomic line of lithium is described.The slave laser is a free running diode that is injection-locked by a small portion (2 mW) of the frequency shifted master laser light. Evidence of incomplete injection locking is described, in addition to a technique for improving …


Many-Body Interactions In A Sample Of Ultracold Rydberg Atoms With Varying Dimensions And Densities, Thomas J. Carroll, Shubha Sunder, Michael W. Noel Mar 2006

Many-Body Interactions In A Sample Of Ultracold Rydberg Atoms With Varying Dimensions And Densities, Thomas J. Carroll, Shubha Sunder, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Ultracold highly excited atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are strongly coupled by the dipole-dipole interaction. We have investigated the importance of many-body effects by controlling the dimensionality and density of the excited sample. We excited three different cylindrical volumes of atoms in the MOT to Rydberg states. At small radius, where the sample is nearly one-dimensional, many-body interactions are suppressed. At larger radii, the sample becomes three-dimensional and many-body effects are apparent.


Angular Dependence Of The Dipole-Dipole Interaction In A Nearly One-Dimensional Sample Of Rydberg Atoms, Thomas J. Carroll, Katharine Claringbould, Anne Goodsell, M. J. Lim, Michael W. Noel Oct 2004

Angular Dependence Of The Dipole-Dipole Interaction In A Nearly One-Dimensional Sample Of Rydberg Atoms, Thomas J. Carroll, Katharine Claringbould, Anne Goodsell, M. J. Lim, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Atoms in an ultracold highly excited sample are strongly coupled through the dipole-dipole interaction. In an effort to understand and manipulate the complicated interactions in this system we are investigating their dependence on the relative orientation of the dipoles. By focusing a 480 nm beam from a tunable dye laser into a magneto-optical trap, we produce a nearly one-dimensional sample of Rydberg atoms. The trap lies at the center of four conducting rods with which we can vary the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the trap, thus controlling the orientation of the dipoles with respect to the …


Experimental Investigation Of A Rubidium-Argon Dual Species Magneto-Optical Trap, Hauke Christian Busch Apr 2004

Experimental Investigation Of A Rubidium-Argon Dual Species Magneto-Optical Trap, Hauke Christian Busch

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The first simultaneous cooling and confinement of two different atomic species from opposite sides of the periodic table in a dual magneto optical trap (DMOT) has been accomplished. The alkali-metal 85Rb and the noble gas 40Ar* have been simultaneously confined, characterized, and interspecies interaction parameters have been measured. The DMOT confined 1.2 × 106 85Rb atoms at a density of 1 × 1010/cm3 and 1.4 × 106 40Ar* atoms with a density of 1.2 × 1010/cm3. A collisional loss rate coefficient for Rb-Ar* has been determined to …