Coherent Atomic Manipulation and Cooling [electronic resource] : Interferometric Laser Cooling and Composite Pulses for Atom Interferometry /
Dunning, Alexander J.author.
This work unites the concepts of laser cooling and matter-wave interferometry to develop an interferometric laser cooling technique in an experimental system of cold rubidium atoms. Serving as an introduction to graduate level coherent optical atomic manipulation, the thesis describes the theory of stimulated Raman transitions and atom interferometry, along with the experimental methods for preparing and manipulating cold atoms, before building on these foundations to explore tailored optical pulse sequences and novel atomic cooling techniques. Interferometric cooling, originally proposed by Weitz and Hänsch in 2000, is based upon the coherent broadband laser pulses of Ramsey interferometry and in principle allows laser cooling of atomic and molecular species outside the scope of traditional Doppler laser cooling. On the path toward cooling, composite pulses – quantum error correction methods, developed by chemists to mitigate the effects of in homogeneities in NMR spectroscopy – are investigated with a view to improving the performance of atom interferometers.
Description based upon print version of record.
Includes bibliographical references.
Introduction -- Coherent Manipulation and Interferometry -- Rubidium MOT and Experimental Procedures -- Raman Pulse Generation -- Raman Pulse Characterisation -- Composite Raman Pulses -- Interferometric Cooling -- Conclusions.
This work unites the concepts of laser cooling and matter-wave interferometry to develop an interferometric laser cooling technique in an experimental system of cold rubidium atoms. Serving as an introduction to graduate level coherent optical atomic manipulation, the thesis describes the theory of stimulated Raman transitions and atom interferometry, along with the experimental methods for preparing and manipulating cold atoms, before building on these foundations to explore tailored optical pulse sequences and novel atomic cooling techniques. Interferometric cooling, originally proposed by Weitz and Hänsch in 2000, is based upon the coherent broadband laser pulses of Ramsey interferometry and in principle allows laser cooling of atomic and molecular species outside the scope of traditional Doppler laser cooling. On the path toward cooling, composite pulses – quantum error correction methods, developed by chemists to mitigate the effects of in homogeneities in NMR spectroscopy – are investigated with a view to improving the performance of atom interferometers.
Phase transformations (Statistical physics).
Condensed materials.
Quantum computers.
Spintronics.
Quantum physics.
Quantum Gases and Condensates.
Quantum Information Technology, Spintronics.
Quantum Physics.