Hannover 2010 – scientific programme
Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Downloads | Help
Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 55: Poster II
Q 55.37: Poster
Thursday, March 11, 2010, 16:00–19:00, Lichthof
Quantum sensors with laser cooled ions — •Karsten Pyka, Norbert Herschbach, and Tanja E. Mehlstäubler — QUEST - Institut, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Bundesallee 100, 38116 Braunschweig
Time and frequency are the most accurately measurable quantities in physics today. In the cluster of excellence QUEST (Center for Quantum Engineering and Space-Time Research) atomic clocks are developed for new kinds of quantum sensors and tests of fundamental theories on a quantum-mechanical level. With an atomic clock with relative frequency inaccuracy of 10−18 new applications in geodetic measurements as well as navigation are accessible.
Today’s standards in frequency measurement are defined by single-ion clocks and neutral atom optical lattice clocks, which have demonstrated the potential for ultra-high short term stability and ultra-high accuracy, respectively. Our group dedicates its work to the development of new trap geometries for the trapping, manipulation and spectroscopy of many ions to combine the advantages of both and overcome the problems of the current technologies.
We have set up a new experiment to trap ions in microfabricated trap structures. 172Yb+-ions serve to test and characterize the new trap geometries as well as to sympathetically cool 115In+-ions for spectroscopy. The first tested ion trap is made out of Rogers4350 printed circuit board, a high-precision ceramic chip trap is built in parallel. We present the status of our experiment together with FEM-simulations of the new trap designs.