Cold Rydberg atoms

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The proposed research will use a combination of laser and evaporative cooling to obtain Rubidium atoms at low temperatures (less than a milliKelvin above absolute zero). At these low temperatures, atoms can be held by the weak magnetic field forces generated by "atom chips". Atom chips are devices in which small (micron sized) wires have been patterned on a substrate using techniques borrowed from semiconductor microfabrication. These atom chips will allow us to place normal unexcited Rubidium atoms at well-defined distances away from metal surfaces. These atoms will then be excited to Rydberg states using lasers. These "Rydberg atoms" are much larger than ground state or less-excited atoms. They consist of a negatively charged electron in a large orbit, weakly bound by the attraction of the positively charged remainder of the atom. Since this binding is weak, the electron's orbital is easily disturbed by small external electric fields.****Using the high electric field sensitivity of Rydberg atoms, we will measure the electric fields due to the nearby metal surface. Time-varying electric fields near surfaces are poorly understood. This research will be of relevance to the development of equipment and devices which rely on precisely controlled electric fields near metal surfaces in vacuum e.g. ion-trap based quantum computing, miniaturized mass spectrometers, and thus is relevance to a variety of areas ranging from improvement of established instrumentation and leading edge research apparatus.****We will also develop a technique that *minimizes* the influence of low-frequency and static electric fields on the energy levels of Rydberg atoms, while retaining their sensitivity to high frequency oscillating electric fields at atomic resonance frequencies. This will enable resonant interactions between surface devices and Rydberg atoms, potentially leading to a new class of hybrid devices that combine the best properties of isolated atoms with those of solid-state devices.***The research program will involve extensive training of highly qualified personnel at the undergraduate and graduate level in skills relevant to high-technology industry including: optics, lasers and electronics.********