Precision measurements and studies of light-matter interactions using laser-cooled atoms

我们开发了一类新的原子干涉仪，它利用了激光冷却Rb原子样品中原子的波动性质。使用这些设备，我们已经开发了几种技术来精确测量原子从激光中吸收的动量，这一测量与精确确定原子精细结构常数有关。这个量在描述光和物质之间的相互作用中起着核心作用。这项提议的目标之一是使用该小组开发的一种新技术对这一数量进行独立的最先进的测量。同样的实验还可以高精度地测量重力引起的加速度，并作为重力仪的基础。重力仪被广泛用于石油和矿产勘探以及潮汐改正。我们还提出了一种测量牛顿引力常数的新方法，并继续进行测量磁相互作用、原子寿命和激光类发射研究的实验，称为超荧光。在过去的六年中，这项研究计划为5名博士、4名硕士和24名理工科学生提供了出色的培训机会，其中2名博士、3名理科硕士和20名理工科学生以优异的就业成绩毕业。通过这项提议，预计未来5年将为9名研究生(5名现有研究生、4名新研究生)、10名本科生和1名博士后提供新的培训机会。学生的参与还导致约克大学实验室课程的重大调整，包括为高年级学生开设激光光谱学和原子捕获课程，以及更新与电磁学和光学有关的二年级实验室课程。在这个小组工作的所有学生都接触到原子物理、新仪器和实验方法的最新趋势。这一领域的研究非常受欢迎，但在加拿大仍然没有得到充分的代表。

We have developed a new class of atom interferometers that exploit the wave nature of atoms in a sample of laser cooled rubidium atoms. Using these devices, we have developed several techniques to precisely measure the momentum absorbed by atoms from the lasers, a measurement related to a precise determination of the atomic fine structure constant. This quantity plays a central role in the description of the interaction between light and matter. One of the goals of this proposal is to make an independent state of the art measurement of this quantity using a new technique developed by this group. The same experiment can also result in a highly precise measurement of the acceleration due to gravity and serve as the basis for a gravimeter. Gravimeters are used widely for oil and mineral exploration and for correcting tidal charts. We have also proposed a new measurement of the Newtonian constant of gravitation and the continuation of experiments that measure magnetic interactions, atomic lifetimes and studies of laser like emissions called superfluorescence. During the last six years, this research programme has provided outstanding training opportunities for 5 PhD, 4 MS and 24 BS students of whom 2 PhD, 3 MS and 20 BS students have graduated with an excellent record of placement. Through this proposal, it is anticipated that new training opportunities will be facilitated for 9 graduate students (5 current, 4 new), 10 undergraduates and 1 postdoctoral fellow over the next 5 years. Student involvement has also resulted in a significant restructuring of laboratory courses at York University including the introduction of courses on laser spectroscopy and atom trapping for upper level students as well as the rejuvenation of second year laboratory courses pertaining to electromagnetism and optics. All students working in this group are exposed to current trends in atomic physics, new instrumentation and experimental methods. This area of research is very popular but continues to be underrepresented in Canada.