Search

We study the hyperfine spectrum of atoms of $^{87}$Rb dressed by a radio-frequency field, and present experimental results in three different situations: freely falling atoms, atoms trapped in an optical dipole trap and atoms in an adiabatic radio-frequency dressed shell trap. In all cases, we observe several resonant side bands spaced (in frequency) at intervals equal to the dressing frequency, corresponding to transitions enabled by the dressing field. We theoretically explain the main features of the microwave spectrum, using a semi-classical model in the low field limit and the Rotating Wave Approximation for alkali-like species in general and $^{87}$Rb atoms in particular. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate how the spectral signal of a dressed atomic ensemble enables an accurate determination of the dressing configuration and the probing microwave field., Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, 3 tables

We theoretically discuss an implementation of a Sagnac interferometer with cold atoms. In contrast to currently existing schemes our protocol does not rely on any free propagation of atoms. Instead it is based on superpositions of fully confined atoms and state-dependent transport along a closed path. Using Ramsey sequences for an atomic clock, the accumulated Sagnac phase is encoded in the resulting population imbalance between two internal (clock) states. Using minimal models for the above protocol we analytically quantify limitations arising from atomic dynamics and finite temperature. We discuss an actual implementation of the interferometer with adiabatic radio-frequency potentials that is inherently robust against common mode noise as well as phase noise from the reference oscillator., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

Adiabatic radio frequency (RF) potentials are powerful tools for creating advanced trapping geometries for ultra-cold atoms. While the basic theory of RF trapping is well understood, studies of more complicated setups involving multiple resonant frequencies in the limit where their effects cannot be treated independently are rare. Here we present an approach based on Floquet theory and show that it offers significant corrections to existing models when two RF frequencies are near degenerate. Furthermore it has no restrictions on the dimension, the number of frequencies or the orientation of the RF fields. We show that the added degrees of freedom can, for example, be used to create a potential that allows for easy creation of ring vortex solitons., Comment: 9 Pages, 6 Figures

The dynamics of excitons in a one-dimensional ensemble with partial spatial order are studied. During optical excitation, cold Rydberg atoms spontaneously organize into regular spatial arrangements due to their mutual interactions. This emergent lattice is used as the starting point to study resonant energy transfer triggered by driving a $nS$ to $n^\prime P$ transition using a microwave field. The dynamics are probed by detecting the survival probability of atoms in the $nS$ Rydberg state. Experimental data qualitatively agree with our theoretical predictions including the mapping onto XXZ spin model in the strong-driving limit. Our results suggest that emergent Rydberg lattices provide an ideal platform to study coherent energy transfer in structured media without the need for externally imposed potentials.

Quantum teleportation is a key ingredient of quantum networks and a building block for quantum computation. Teleportation between distant material objects using light as the quantum information carrier has been a particularly exciting goal. Here we demonstrate a new element of the quantum teleportation landscape, the deterministic continuous variable (cv) teleportation between distant material objects. The objects are macroscopic atomic ensembles at room temperature. Entanglement required for teleportation is distributed by light propagating from one ensemble to the other. Quantum states encoded in a collective spin state of one ensemble are teleported onto another ensemble using this entanglement and homodyne measurements on light. By implementing process tomography, we demonstrate that the experimental fidelity of the quantum teleportation is higher than that achievable by any classical process. Furthermore, we demonstrate the benefits of deterministic teleportation by teleporting a dynamically changing sequence of spin states from one distant object onto another.

A quantum memory for light is a key element for the realization of future quantum information networks. Requirements for a good quantum memory are (i) versatility (allowing a wide range of inputs) and (ii) true quantum coherence (preserving quantum information). Here we demonstrate such a quantum memory for states possessing Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) entanglement. These multi-photon states are two-mode squeezed by 6.0 dB with a variable orientation of squeezing and displaced by a few vacuum units. This range encompasses typical input alphabets for a continuous variable quantum information protocol. The memory consists of two cells, one for each mode, filled with cesium atoms at room temperature with a memory time of about 1msec. The preservation of quantum coherence is rigorously proven by showing that the experimental memory fidelity 0.52(2) significantly exceeds the benchmark of 0.45 for the best possible classical memory for a range of displacements., Comment: main text 5 pages, supplementary information 3 pages

We present an experimental investigation of alkali atom vapor cells coated with a high quality anti-relaxation coating material based on alkenes. The prepared cells with single compound alkene based coating showed the longest spin relaxation times which have been measured up to now with room temperature vapor cells. Suggestions are made that chemical binding of a cesium atom and an alkene molecule by attack to the C=C bond plays a crucial role in such improvement of anti-relaxation coating quality.

We analyse a novel squeezing and entangling mechanism which is due to correlated Stokes and anti-Stokes photon forward scattering in a multi-level atom vapour. Following the proposal we present an experimental demonstration of 3.5 dB pulsed frequency nondegenerate squeezed (quadrature entangled) state of light using room temperature caesium vapour. The source is very robust and requires only a few milliwatts of laser power. The squeezed state is generated in the same spatial mode as the local oscillator and in a single temporal mode. The two entangled modes are separated by twice the Zeeman frequency of the vapour which can be widely tuned. The narrow-band squeezed light generated near an atomic resonance can be directly used for atom-based quantum information protocols. Its single temporal mode characteristics make it a promising resource for quantum information processing.

Arrays of trapped atoms are the ideal starting point for developing registers comprising large numbers of physical qubits for storing and processing quantum information. One very promising approach involves neutral atom traps produced on microfabricated devices known as atom chips, as almost arbitrary trap configurations can be realised in a robust and compact package. Until now, however, atom chip experiments have focused on small systems incorporating single or only a few individual traps. Here we report experiments on a two-dimensional array of trapped ultracold atom clouds prepared using a simple magnetic-film atom chip. We are able to load atoms into hundreds of tightly confining and optically resolved array sites. We then cool the individual atom clouds in parallel to the critical temperature required for quantum degeneracy. Atoms are shuttled across the chip surface utilising the atom chip as an atomic shift register and local manipulation of atoms is implemented using a focused laser to rapidly empty individual traps., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures

Entangled many body systems have recently attracted significant attention in various contexts. Among them, spin squeezed atoms and ions have raised interest in the field of precision measurements, as they allow to overcome quantum noise of uncorrelated particles. Precise quantum state engineering is also required as a resource for quantum computation, and spin squeezing can be used to create multi-partite entangled states. Two-mode spin squeezed systems have been used for elementary quantum communication protocols. Until now spin squeezing has been always achieved via generation of entanglement between different atoms of the ensemble. In this Letter, we demonstrate for the first time ensemble spin squeezing generated by engineering the quantum state of each individual atom. More specifically, we entangle the nuclear and electronic spins of $10^{12}$ Cesium atoms at room temperature. We verify entanglement and ensemble spin squeezing by performing quantum tomography on the atomic state., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

We experimentally investigate the properties of radio-frequency-dressed potentials for Bose-Einstein condensates on atom chips. The three-dimensional potential forms a connected pair of parallel waveguides. We show that rf-dressed potentials are robust against the effect of small magnetic-field variations on the trap potential. Long-lived dipole oscillations of condensates induced in the rf-dressed potentials can be tuned to a remarkably low damping rate. We study a beam-splitter for Bose-Einstein condensates and show that a propagating condensate can be dynamically split in two vertically separated parts and guided along two paths. The effect of gravity on the potential can be tuned and compensated for using a rf-field gradient., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures

We have realized a two dimensional permanent magnetic lattice of Ioffe-Pritchard microtraps for ultracold atoms. The lattice is formed by a single 300 nm magnetized layer of FePt, patterned using optical lithography. Our magnetic lattice consists of more than 15000 tightly confining microtraps with a density of 1250 traps/mm$^2$. Simple analytical approximations for the magnetic fields produced by the lattice are used to derive relevant trap parameters. We load ultracold atoms into at least 30 lattice sites at a distance of approximately 10 $\mu$m from the film surface. The present result is an important first step towards quantum information processing with neutral atoms in magnetic lattice potentials., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures

We describe a self-biased, fully permanent magnet atom chip used to study ultracold atoms and to produce a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). The magnetic trap is loaded efficiently by adiabatic transport of a magnetic trap via the application of uniform external fields. Radio frequency spectroscopy is used for in-trap analysis and to determine the temperature of the atomic cloud. The formation of a Bose-Einstein condensate is observed in time of flight images and as a narrow peak appearing in the radio frequency spectrum., Comment: changed title, substantial text modifications, journal reference added

We present a novel method to mount and align an optical-fiber-based resonator on the flat surface of an atom chip with ultrahigh precision. The structures for mounting a pair of fibers, which constitute the fiber resonator, are produced by a spin-coated SU-8 photoresist technique by use of deep-UV lithography. The design and production of the SU-8 structures are discussed. From the measured finesses we calculate the coupling loss of the SU-8 structures acting as a kind of fiber splice to be smaller than 0.013 dB., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures

We present traps with toroidal $(T^{2})$ and ring-shaped topologies, based on adiabatic potentials for radio-frequency dressed Zeeman states in a ring-shaped magnetic quadrupole field. Simple adjustment of the radio-frequency fields provides versatile possibilities for dynamical parameter tuning, topology change, and controlled potential perturbation. We show how to induce toroidal and poloidal rotations, and demonstrate the feasibility of preparing degenerate quantum gases with reduced dimensionality and periodic boundary conditions. The great level of dynamical and even state dependent control is useful for atom interferometry., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures. Paragraphs on gravity compensation and expected trap lifetimes added

Neutral atoms can be trapped and manipulated with surface mounted microscopic current carrying and charged structures. We present a lithographic fabrication process for such atom chips based on evaporated metal films. The size limit of this process is below 1$\mu$m. At room temperature, thin wires can carry more than 10$^7$A/cm$^2$ current density and voltages of more than 500V. Extensive test measurements for different substrates and metal thicknesses (up to 5 $\mu$m) are compared to models for the heating characteristics of the microscopic wires. Among the materials tested, we find that Si is the best suited substrate for atom chips.