Hannover 2013 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 43: Poster II

Q 43.89: Poster

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

Towards Imaging Single Rydberg Atoms via Electromagnetically Induced Transparency — •Stephan Helmrich, Georg Günter, Hanna Schempp, Christoph S. Hofmann, Vladislav Gavryusev, Martin Robert-de-Saint-Vincent, Shannon Whitlock, and Matthias Weidemüller — Physikalisches Institut, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 226, 69120 Heidelberg

Electromagnetically induced transparency of Rydberg atoms presents the unique possibility to image individual Rydberg atoms immersed in a dense atomic gas and to study their spatial correlations. In our recent proposal [1] the level shifts induced by the Rydberg atoms to the surrounding gas are utilized to provide sensitive, single-shot absorption images of individual Rydberg atoms.

To experimentally realize this idea we require quasi-1D or 2D trapping geometries and a high resolution imaging system capable of resolving single Rydberg blockade spheres. Therefore we designed and implemented a diffraction limited imaging system taking maximum advantage of the present experimental setup. Additionally we optimized critical experimental parameters including atomic density and exposure time to achieve the highest possible signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution. We will present our experimental progress towards imaging single Rydberg atoms.

[1] G. Günter et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 013002 (2012)