Precision measurements and studies of light-matter interactions using laser-cooled atoms

使用激光冷却原子精确测量和研究光与物质相互作用

• 批准号: 227627-2010
• 负责人: Kumarakrishnan, Anantharaman
• 金额: $ 1.97万
• 依托单位: York University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=507408
• 关键词: Precision; measurements; studies; light; matter

We have developed a new class of atom interferometers that exploit the wave nature of atoms in a sample of laser cooled rubidium atoms. Using these devices, we have developed several techniques to precisely measure the momentum absorbed by atoms from the lasers, a measurement related to a precise determination of the atomic fine structure constant. This quantity plays a central role in the description of the interaction between light and matter. One of the goals of this proposal is to make an independent state of the art measurement of this quantity using a new technique developed by this group. The same experiment can also result in a highly precise measurement of the acceleration due to gravity and serve as the basis for a gravimeter. Gravimeters are used widely for oil and mineral exploration and for correcting tidal charts. We have also proposed a new measurement of the Newtonian constant of gravitation and the continuation of experiments that measure magnetic interactions, atomic lifetimes and studies of laser like emissions called superfluorescence. During the last six years, this research programme has provided outstanding training opportunities for 5 PhD, 4 MS and 24 BS students of whom 2 PhD, 3 MS and 20 BS students have graduated with an excellent record of placement. Through this proposal, it is anticipated that new training opportunities will be facilitated for 9 graduate students (5 current, 4 new), 10 undergraduates and 1 postdoctoral fellow over the next 5 years. Student involvement has also resulted in a significant restructuring of laboratory courses at York University including the introduction of courses on laser spectroscopy and atom trapping for upper level students as well as the rejuvenation of second year laboratory courses pertaining to electromagnetism and optics. All students working in this group are exposed to current trends in atomic physics, new instrumentation and experimental methods. This area of research is very popular but continues to be underrepresented in Canada.

我们已经开发了一类新的原子干涉仪，该基因在激光冷却的Rubidium原子样品中利用原子的波性质。使用这些设备，我们开发了几种技术来精确测量激光器原子吸收的动量，这是与原子细胞结构常数的精确确定相关的测量。该数量在描述光与物质之间的相互作用中起着核心作用。 该提案的目标之一是使用该小组开发的新技术对该数量进行独立的艺术测量状态。相同的实验也可以导致高度精确的测量，并作为重力引起的加速度，并作为重量表的基础。重量表被广泛用于石油和矿物勘探，并用于校正潮汐图。我们还提出了对重力的新测量，以及测量磁相互作用，原子寿命和激光研究（如发射）称为超荧光的实验的实验。在过去的六年中，该研究计划为5博士学位，4 MS和24个BS学生提供了出色的培训机会，其中2位博士学位，3 MS和20 BS学生已经毕业了，拥有出色的位置记录。通过这项建议，预计将在未来5年内为9名研究生（5名新的4名新本科生），10名本科生和1名博士后研究员提供新的培训机会。学生的参与还导致了约克大学实验室课程的重大调整，包括引入上层学生的激光光谱和原子诱捕课程，以及第二年实验室课程与电磁学和光学学院有关的课程。该小组中工作的所有学生都面临着原子理，新仪器和实验方法的当前趋势。该研究领域非常受欢迎，但在加拿大的代表性仍然不足。