Manipulation of Coherent Dynamics in Dipole-Dipole Coupled Rydberg Gases

智力价值：这个项目将解决几个基本问题，这些问题涉及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，以及这种行为可以在多大程度上利用激光和电场进行控制和操纵。这些实验将利用原子的超冷气体和一个高度激发的“里德堡”电子。这种原子是有用的，因为：它们对邻近原子特别敏感；它们内部的电子运动足够慢，可以用非常短的激光脉冲来探测；原子本身的相对位置可能会受到原子之间作用力的强烈影响。一项实验将尝试诱导一个原子中的电子运动，并建立条件，使这种运动可以自发地转移到邻近原子中的电子。另一个将探索一组被激发的原子作为一个单一的量子力学单元，共同发射辐射而不是单独发射辐射的条件。进一步的工作将利用激光在原子对之间诱导瞬时排斥相互作用，防止它们之间的硬碰撞，并可能创建模拟凝聚态物质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，该项目近期最大的社会效益将是对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以及科学道德和方法培训的宝贵经验。他们将发展书面和口头演示技能，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，并在实验室培养小组解决问题的技能。此外，在一个共享的多学科激光实验室中，他们与化学和工程专业的学生、博士后和教职员工的互动将提供机会，了解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的科学家和工程师。他们在该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；开发国防和安全应用的新技术；和/或培养新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.