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

我们开发了一种新型的原子干涉仪，利用激光冷却铷原子样品中原子的波动性质。利用这些装置，我们开发了几种技术来精确测量原子从激光中吸收的动量，这一测量与原子精细结构常数的精确测定有关。这个量在描述光与物质之间的相互作用时起着中心作用。该提案的目标之一是使用该小组开发的新技术对该数量进行独立的最先进的测量。同样的实验也可以对重力加速度进行高度精确的测量，并作为重力仪的基础。重力仪广泛用于石油和矿产勘探以及校正潮汐图。我们还提出了一种新的测量牛顿引力常数的方法，并继续进行测量磁相互作用、原子寿命和研究类似激光的超荧光的实验。在过去的六年里，该研究项目为5名博士、4名硕士和24名学士学生提供了出色的培训机会，其中2名博士、3名硕士和20名学士毕业，成绩优异。通过该提案，预计未来5年将为9名研究生（现有5名，新增4名），10名本科生和1名博士后提供新的培训机会。学生的参与也导致了约克大学实验课程的重大重组，包括为高年级学生引入激光光谱学和原子俘获课程，以及恢复与电磁学和光学有关的二年级实验课程。所有在这个小组工作的学生都接触到原子物理学的最新趋势，新的仪器和实验方法。这一领域的研究非常受欢迎，但在加拿大的代表性仍然不足。

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.