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In 2005 we demonstrated
that a magnetically trapped cylindrical atom
sample with a high aspect ratio provides important opportunities
for
non-linear optical interactions. We demonstrated that
the atom sample
can act as a switch with an optical gain of more than
100. We
demonstrated that the atom sample can act as an optical
waveguide,
providing significant enhancements over interactions
in free space
because the confinement allowed the light to propate
over distances
longer than the Rayleligh range without diffraction.
We are trying to
extend the gain down to a single photon, allowing us
to develop a 4Pi
single photon detector.
In collaboration with the Lukin group We have demonstrated
EIT in the
confined sample with an optical depth >50. We are
also embarking on
new experiments that combine the atom samples with nanofibers
with 300
nm cores. For that system, a single atom has an optical
depth of 1.
- To develop sources and techniques for loading and
manipulating atoms in magnetic guides
- To investigate the quasi 1-D nature of ultra-cold
atoms in this unique geometry
- To produce, control and manipulate the interactions
of degenerate atoms near a surface
- High permeability, soft ferromagnetic foils provide
controllable, strong magnetic fields (up to 1T/cm)
for tight confinement of ultracold atoms
- Novel trap geometry which can trap and cool >1x109
atoms close to a surface. These atoms can be transferred
with high efficiency to a magneto-static trap
- Aspect ratio of the magnetic trap can be tuned
between 1:1 to 1:1000
- Expertise in nanofabrication and magnetizable materials,
providing an interface between macroscopic guides
and microscopic 'atom chips'
- Atom chips provide accurate, fast tunable control
of ultracold atoms close to a surface (<0.5mm)
- The quadrupole field of a 2D+ MOT can be efficiently
overlapped with these magnetic guides to provide efficient
transfer of a large, continuous flux (>109 atoms/s)
of cold atoms into a magneto-static guide
- Velocity control and the use of dark states give
efficient transport over several centimeters in straight
and curved guides
- Highly anisotropic nature of these traps is attractive
for studying processes such as nonlinear atom optics
and collisions in the 1D limit
- Atom chips facilitate studies of interactions and
coherence of ultracold atom close to and with surfaces
- Study of the evolution of atomic states in these
guided geometries and their application in interferometry
- Development of continuous, guided sources for probing
surface interactions
More about
Atomic Waveguides 
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