Experimental Studies of Atoms in Confined Spaces (Physics)

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The properties of atoms confined to a small space by metallic boundaries will be studied experimentally. This work concerns the modification of the spontaneous emission from excited atoms in such a space and the Van der Waals force experienced by atoms near surfaces. An optical standing wave will be introduced into the space to exert an additional optical force on the atoms. This will allow the control of the position of the atoms to much less than a micron and to perform precise atom - surface studies. This research is closely related to several fields of current interest in atomic and laser physics. First, this work my be viewed in the context of quantum electrodynamics as a test of the understanding of the electromagnetic vacuum state and of the atomic self-energy (cavity QED). Spontaneous optical emission has been suppressed and such control over the quantum noise of a optical resonator is bound to have interesting applications. Second, this project relates to the active field of trapping and cooling of atoms using light. It may be possible to achieve quantum limited confinement in one dimension which will give spectacular control over the atoms as well as permitting some interesting demonstrations of quantum mechanics.