MRI: Development of microwave quasi-optical instrumentation for control and detection of polar molecules

现代量子控制和精密测量技术导致了原子物理学的革命性进步，应用范围从原子钟到新型传感器，再到正在进行的量子计算机的开发。人们对将这些技术从原子扩展到分子的兴趣迅速增长，分子的更复杂的内部结构开启了大量新的可能的应用。在这个项目中，将开发新的仪器来以新的方式测量和操纵分子的量子态。主要的方法是通过使用一种不寻常的谐振腔来增强极性分子与微波的相互作用。两个类似的系统将被设计和建造，专门用于集成到P.I.S实验室正在进行的两个实验中。其中一个将用于测量高能粒子物理激发的效应，另一个将用于实现将分子冷却到前所未有的低温的技术。该项目将涉及广泛的学生培训。仪器的开发将包括两名研究生的早期博士研究。这些学生将由P.I.和小组中的高级博士生指导，他们在系统的概念开发和初始原型方面发挥了关键作用。相关实验通常涉及1-2名博士后研究人员和4-6名研究生；这些年轻研究人员的下一代将直接受益于拟议的工作。

Modern techniques of quantum control and precision measurement have led to revolutionary advances in atomic physics, with applications ranging from atomic clocks to novel types of sensors to the ongoing development of quantum computers. There is a rapidly growing interest in extending these techniques from atoms to molecules, whose more complex internal structure opens a wealth of new possible applications. In this project, new instrumentation will be developed to measure and manipulate the quantum states of molecules in novel ways. The primary approach is to enhance the interaction of polar molecules with microwaves, by using an unusual type of resonant cavity. Two similar systems will be designed and built specifically for integration into two ongoing experiments in the P.I.'s lab. One will be used to measure an effect motivated by high-energy particle physics, and the other to enable a technique for cooling molecules to unprecedented low temperatures.The project will involve extensive student training. The instrument development will comprise the early years of Ph.D. research for two graduate students. These students will be guided by the P.I. and by senior Ph.D. students in the group that have played key roles in the conceptual development and initial prototyping of the systems. The related experiments have typically involved 1-2 postdoctoral researchers and 4-6 graduate students; the next generation of these young researchers will benefit directly from the proposed work.