Spectroscopy and Quantum-State Manipulation of Excited Rb Atoms and Molecules Using Optical Lattices

原子光谱学在计量学中非常重要，例如时间测量，以及努力了解原子和分子的基本工作原理。例如，铷原子的5S-5 P-5D跃迁被用于实际的蒸气室原子钟，其波长被长度咨询委员会（CCL）用作实现米的参考之一。在该项目中，测量了铷原子的量子态特性，这可能会影响此类设备的准确性。在该项目中进行的激光光谱研究也旨在更好地了解高度激发的原子在激光原子陷阱中的里德伯原子，在探索一种新型的分子，涉及里德伯原子，并在高精度测量里德伯原子跃迁，可以帮助解决当前的问题，在基础物理学（包括，例如，什么是物质的积木的确切大小，如质子）。里德伯原子是科学和技术领域正在研究的众多量子器件的关键组成部分，因此彻底了解它们的物理特性及其可能应用的广度是一个重要目标。该研究项目的研究对象是激光物理学、光学、量子力学和量子测量技术领域的研究生，这些领域在学术界、工业界和政府部门都非常受欢迎。技术受众摘要：该项目的工作包括研究交流极化率和铷5D 3/2能级在1064 nm强激光场中的光电离截面。激光器被稳定和扫描超过几个GHz，同时参考锁定在原子蒸气室上的激光器。在1064 nm激光场中Rb 5D3/2能级的交流位移和光电离诱导谱线展宽在同一数量级上，从而可以测量这两个量。在同一装置中，进行激光光谱研究，以探索分子和光学晶格中里德伯原子的物理。里德伯能级可以在GHz深晶格中严重混合，从而导致测量的新型势能曲线。该项目还旨在研究里德伯原子和正离子之间的新型分子。在相关的工作中，高精度的里德伯能级光谱是使用光学晶格调制技术进行的，这是一种新的亚多普勒光谱里德伯原子光谱方法，它基于束缚电子与场的有质动力相互作用，而不是更常见的电偶极相互作用。圆形里德伯原子的全光学制备，这使得最精确的里德伯原子为基础的光谱，使用时间轨道光学晶格追求。这项工作是由一名首席研究员和几名研究生进行的，它将为本科生提供机会。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

General audience abstract:Atomic spectroscopy is important in metrology, such as time measurement, and in efforts to learn about the fundamental workings of atoms and molecules. For instance, the 5S-5P-5D transition of the rubidium atom is used in practical vapor-cell atomic clocks, and its wavelength is used by the Consultative Committee for Length (CCL) as one of its references for realizing the meter. In the project, properties of the quantum states of the rubidium atoms are measured that can affect the accuracy of such devices. The laser-spectroscopic investigations conducted in the project also aim at a better understanding of highly excited atoms (Rydberg atoms) in laser atom traps, at the exploration of a new type of molecule that involves Rydberg atoms, and at high-precision measurements of Rydberg-atom transitions that can help address current questions in fundamental physics (including, for instance, what is the exact size of building blocks of matter such as the proton). Rydberg atoms are a critical component in numerous quantum devices that are being worked on in science and technology, making a thorough understanding of their physics and of the breadth of their possible applications an important goal. The research engages graduate students in the fields of laser physics, optics, quantum mechanics and quantum measurement technologies, which are areas that are highly sought-after in academia, industry and government.Technical audience abstract:The project work includes an investigation of the AC polarizability and the photo-ionization cross section of the rubidium 5D3/2 level in a strong 1064-nm laser field. Lasers are stabilized and scanned over several GHz, while being referenced to lasers locked on atomic vapor cells. AC shifts and photo-ionization-induced line broadening of the Rb 5D3/2 level in the 1064-nm laser field are on the same order of magnitude, allowing a measurement of both quantities. In the same setup, laser-spectroscopic studies are conducted to explore the physics of Rydberg atoms in molecules and in optical lattices. Rydberg levels can become heavily mixed in GHz-deep lattices, leading to novel types of potential energy curves, which are measured. The project also aims at research on a new type of molecule between a Rydberg atom and a positive ion. In related work, high-precision Rydberg-level spectroscopy is conducted using an optical-lattice modulation technique, a novel sub-Doppler spectroscopic approach to Rydberg-atom spectroscopy that is based upon the ponderomotive interaction of bound electrons with fields rather than the more common electric-dipole interaction. All-optical preparation of circular Rydberg atoms, which allow for the most precise of Rydberg-atom-based spectroscopies, using a time-orbiting optical lattice is pursued. The work is conducted by a principal investigator and several graduate students, and it will offer opportunities for undergraduate students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.