Manipulation of Coherent Dynamics in Dipole-Dipole Coupled Rydberg Gases

智力优势：该项目将解决几个基本问题，这些问题与孤立原子中电子的量子电子行为如何在其他原子存在的情况下被改变有关，以及这种行为在多大程度上可以使用激光和电场来控制和操纵。实验将利用原子的超冷气体和一个高度激发的“里德伯”电子。这些原子是有用的，因为：它们对邻近的原子特别敏感；它们内部的电子运动非常缓慢，可以用非常短的激光脉冲来探测；原子本身的相对位置会受到原子间作用力的强烈影响。一个实验将试图在一个原子中诱导电子运动，并建立运动可以自发地转移到邻近原子中的电子的条件。另一个将探索一组受激原子作为单个量子力学单位的条件，它们集体而不是单独发射辐射。进一步的工作将利用激光来诱导原子对之间的瞬态排斥相互作用，防止它们之间的硬碰撞，并可能创建模拟凝聚态系统的有序原子阵列。更广泛的影响：该项目的结果有可能影响原子物理学以外的几个活跃研究领域的基础科学，包括凝聚态物理、量子信息和量子控制。除了这些科学联系和相关应用之外，该项目最大的近期社会效益将是参与的研究生和本科生的教育。参与该项目的学生将获得最先进的激光设备和技术的宝贵经验，以及科学伦理和方法方面的培训。他们将培养书面和口头表达能力，并参加会议，在那里他们将展示和捍卫他们的成果，并建立专业联系。他们将参加小组会议，并在实验室培养解决小组问题的能力。此外，在一个共享的多学科激光实验室中，他们与化学和工程学生、博士后和教师的互动将提供机会学习其他学科使用的实验室技术，以及科学文化、语言和术语的差异。这些年轻的男女是下一代科学家和工程师。他们在项目中的经验将使他们能够为激光、光子学和其他行业做出贡献；发展国防安全新技术；和/或教育下一代科学家和工程师。

Intellectual Merit: This project will address several fundamental questions relevant to how the quantum electronic behavior of electrons in isolated atoms are modified in the presence of other atoms, and to what extent that behavior can be controlled and manipulated using lasers and electric fields. The experiments will utilize ultra-cold gases of atoms with one highly-excited "Rydberg" electron. Such atoms are useful because: they are particularly sensitive to neighboring atoms; the motion of electrons within them is sufficiently slow that it can be probed with very brief laser pulses; and the relative positions of the atoms themselves can be strongly influenced by the forces between atoms. One experiment will attempt to induce electronic motion in one atom and establish conditions where that motion can be spontaneously transferred to an electron in a neighboring atom. Another will explore the conditions in which a group of excited atoms act as a single quantum mechanical unit, emitting radiation collectively rather than individually. Further work will utilize lasers to induce transient repulsive interactions between pairs of atoms, preventing hard collisions between them, and possibly creating ordered atomic arrays that mimic condensed matter systems. Broader Impacts: Results from the project have the potential to impact fundamental science in several active research areas outside of atomic physics, including condensed matter physics, quantum information, and quantum control. Beyond these scientific connections and associated applications, the greatest near-term societal benefit of the project will be the education of the participating graduate and undergraduate students. Students involved in the project will gain valuable experience with state-of-the-art laser equipment and techniques as well as training in scientific ethics and methodology. They will develop written and oral presentation skills, and travel to conferences where they will present and defend their results as well as establish professional contacts. They will participate in group meetings and develop group problem solving skills in the laboratory. Moreover, their interactions with chemistry and engineering students, postdocs, and faculty in a shared multi-disciplinary laser laboratory will provide opportunities to learn about laboratory techniques used in other disciplines, as well differences in scientific cultures, language and terminology. These young women and men are the next generation of scientists and engineers. Their experiences with the project will enable them to contribute to laser, photonics, and other industries; develop new technologies for national defense and security applications; and/or educate another generation of scientists and engineers.