Hannover 2013 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 29: Poster: Ultra-cold atoms, ions and BEC (with Q)

A 29.17: Poster

Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 16:00–18:30, Empore Lichthof

Interfacing Cold Atoms and Carbon Nanotubes — •Simon Bell, Peter Federsel, Hannah Schefzyk, Markus Stecker, Andreas Günther, and József Fortágh — Physikalisches Institut, Universität Tübingen, Deutschland

Hybrid systems of ultracold atoms and nano-devices have attracted considerable attention within the last years. In future, such systems might allow the realization of novel nano-devices and nano-sensors with sensitivities only limited by quantum effects. In our system we routinely interface ultracold atoms with single carbon nanotubes. We show how this system might be used to demonstrate a novel quantum galvanometer, and summarize our results on the first cold-atom scanning probe microscope [1, 2].

While efficient single-atom detection will become more and more important for hybrid systems and for quantum atom optics in general, we also show our latest attempts towards in-situ single-atom detection of trapped quantum gases. Currently we are investigating two different schemes, both based on ionization of individual atoms and subsequent ion-detection. The first scheme uses optical ionization and allows highly resolved spatial imaging. The second scheme uses field ionization at the tip of a charged nanotube/nanowire to limit the ionization region to the nm length scale. We will expand on both of these detection schemes and show our first results.

Schneeweiß et al., Nature Nanotechnology 7, 515-519 (2012)
Gierling et al., Nature Nanotechnology 6; 446-451 (2011)