Submicron positioning of single atoms in a microcavity.

Journal article

The coupling of individual atoms to a high-finesse optical cavity is precisely controlled and adjusted using a standing-wave dipole-force trap, a challenge for strong atom-cavity coupling. Ultracold Rubidium atoms are first loaded into potential minima of the dipole trap in the center of the cavity. Then we use the trap as a conveyor belt that we set into motion perpendicular to the cavity axis. This allows us to repetitively move atoms out of and back into the cavity mode with a repositioning precision of 135 nm. This makes it possible to either selectively address one atom of a string of atoms by the cavity, or to simultaneously couple two precisely separated atoms to a higher mode of the cavity.

Authors: Nussmann, S; Hijlkema, M; Weber, B; Rohde, F; Rempe, G

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Physical Review Letters
• Volume: 95
• Issue: 17
• Pages: 173602
• Publication date: 2005-10-01
• DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.95.173602
• EISSN: 1079-7114
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• Language: English