Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 34: Poster 1

Q 34.58: Poster

Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 16:30–19:00, Poster.I+II

Narrow Band Excitation of a Dense Rydberg Gas in an Optical Dipole Trap — •Henning Labuhn, Christoph Hofmann, Georg Günter, Hanna Schempp, Martin Robert-de-Saint- Vincent, Shannon Whitlock, and Matthias Weidemüller — Physikalisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Philosophenweg 12, 69120 Heidelberg

Neutral Atoms in highly-excited (Rydberg) states are extremely polarizable particles. This leads to quantum effects and interactions over macroscopic distances. Consequently, many-body systems of Rydberg atoms offer a unique opportunity to create and investigate strong correlations in ultra-cold atomic gases.

In this prospect, we prepare dense quantum degenerate atomic samples in an optical dipole trap. The geometry can be changed from 1D to 2D or 3D by using specific optical potentials. In particular, we present a compact and modular system for trapping the atoms in a shallow-angle 1D optical lattice. In addition, narrow band laser sources are used for probing the spectral features of interactions in electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT)[1], and preparing correlated many-body Rydberg states. For this we aim to lock the laser to an ultra-stable optical resonator which is temperature and vibration isolated from its environment. First results on interaction effects in EIT configuration are presented. These studies will ultimately shed new light on self-ordering in complex many-body quantum systems [2].
G. Günter et al., arXiv:1106.5443v1 (2011), to be published in PRL
S. Sevinli et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 153001 (2011)