Sympathetic Cooling and Collisions of Atomic and Molecular Ions with Ultracold Atoms

原子和分子离子与超冷原子的交感冷却和碰撞

• 批准号: 0855570
• 负责人: Winthrop Smith
• 金额: $ 26万
• 依托单位: University of Connecticut
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2009
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2009-08-01 至 2014-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0855570&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Sympathetic; Cooling; Collisions; Atomic; Molecular

Sympathetic cooling of trapped atomic and molecular ions is investigated by using ion collisions with a second (ultracold) species of neutral atoms (e.g. sodium) which have previously been laser cooled to less than 1/1000th degree above absolute zero. This research focuses on very low energy ion-neutral atomic collisions as the cooling mechanism, about which very little is known experimentally. The boundaries of classical (Newtonian) and quantum (Schroedinger-Heisenberg) scattering are explored in new ways. The ion-neutral interaction under study is very general, involving the polarization (charge separation) of the neutral partner by the electric field of the ion; the polarized neutral atom then acts back to strongly attract the ion. Molecules (and molecular ions) are very difficult to laser cool directly, so this work should open up applications to general energy exchange processes in the solar system and interstellar space, control of ion-molecule exothermic reactions near zero Kelvin, generation of Wigner crystals of molecular ions in a lattice, precision spectroscopy of ions, ultraprecise atomic and molecular ion clocks, and potentially, quantum computers or quantum memory registers involving arrays of trapped ions. The project uses a special hybrid ion-neutral trap (MOT and Paul trap combination) to overlap clouds of alkali-metal atoms and various kinds of ions (e.g. Ca+, Na2+, Na+) and to allow observation of the rates of cooling and reactions that occur as a result. This basic research is relevant to atomic physics, molecular physics, frequency standards, space physics and astrophysics, quantum information and memories and their many applications. Atomic, molecular and optical physics (AMO) research at the University of Connecticut currently involves 10 active faculty and ~38 graduate students who receive a broad education involving all these areas, through their individual research, interaction with peers, weekly research seminars and colloquia, visits from scholars, public lectures and community outreach. Research results are frequently presented at conferences. One of the PI's students in undergraduate quantum mechanics for physics majors is now involved in PhD-level research on this project. Three undergraduate summer students, along with two exchange students from the University of Heidelberg have been involved. Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in related independent study projects. Students on the project receive a broad education in basic experimental physics techniques, including ultrahigh vacuum, laser cooling and trapping, optics, laser spectroscopy, ion manipulation and detection, etc.

通过使用第二种（超低）中性原子（例如钠），研究了被困原子和分子离子的交感神经冷却，这些碰撞先前已被激光冷却至绝对零以上的1/1000度小于1/1000度。这项研究的重点是非常低的能量离子 - 中性原子碰撞作为冷却机制，在实验上几乎不知道它。古典（牛顿）和量子（Schroedinger-Heisenberg）散射的边界以新的方式进行了探索。 所研究的离子中性相互作用非常笼统，涉及离子电场中性伴侣的极化（电荷分离）；然后，偏振中性原子可以重新吸引离子。 分子（和分子离子）很难直接激光冷却，因此这项工作应为太阳系和星际空间中的一般能量交换过程开放，控制零分子的离子热反应的控制，在零开孔附近的离体放热反应，分子晶体的生成，分子晶体的生成，依从层和超过层次，超过层次，超过层次，超过离子，超过离子，离子的层状，属于离子，是离子晶体的。有可能，涉及被困离子阵列的量子计算机或量子存储器寄存器。该项目使用特殊的混合离子中性陷阱（MOT和Paul TRAP组合）来重叠碱金属原子和各种离子（例如Ca+，Na2+，Na+）的云，并允许观察出来的冷却速率和结果。这项基础研究与原子物理学，分子物理学，频率标准，空间物理学和天体物理学，量子信息和记忆及其许多应用有关。 康涅狄格大学的原子，分子和光学物理学（AMO）研究目前涉及10名活跃的教职员工和约38名研究生，他们通过与同龄人的个人研究，每周研究研讨会和colloquia的互动，学者，公共讲座和社区外展。研究结果经常在会议上提出。 PI的一名本科生物理学专业的学生之一现在参与了该项目的博士学位研究。三名本科夏季学生，以及海德堡大学的两名交换学生。鼓励大学生参加相关的独立研究项目。 该项目的学生接受了基本实验物理技术的广泛教育，包括超高真空，激光冷却和诱捕，光学，激光光谱，离子操纵和检测等等。