Berlin 2014 – scientific programme
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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 24: Poster: Atomic systems in external fields
A 24.3: Poster
Tuesday, March 18, 2014, 16:30–18:30, Spree-Palais
Imaging of Relaxation Times and Microwave Field Strength in Vapor Cells — •Guan-Xiang Du1, Andrew Horsley1, Matthieu Pellaton2, Thejesh Bandi2, Christoph Affolderbach2, Gaetano Mileti2, and Philipp Treutlein1 — 1Departement Physik, Universität Basel, Switzerland — 2Laboratoire Temps-Fréquence, Institut de Physique, Université de Neuchâtel, Switzerland
We present a new characterisation technique for atomic vapor cells [1], combining time-domain measurements with absorption imaging to obtain spatially resolved information on decay times, atomic diffusion and coherent dynamics. The technique has been used to characterise both a microfabricated Rb vapor cell placed inside a microwave cavity, and a larger, high-performance vapor cell atomic clock. Time-domain Franzen and Ramsey measurements are used to produce high-resolution images of the population (T1) and coherence (T2) lifetimes in the cell, while Rabi measurements yield images of the σ−, π and σ+ components of the applied microwave magnetic field. Images of the microwave magnetic field reveal regions of optimal field homogeneity, and thus coherence. Our technique is useful for vapor cell characterisation in atomic clocks, atomic sensors, and quantum information experiments.
[1] A. Horsley et al., Imaging of Relaxation Times and Microwave Field Strength in a Microfabricated Vapor Cell, accepted to PRA. Arxiv: 1306.1387