Mainz 2017 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 17: Rydberg atoms

A 17.5: Talk

Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 15:30–15:45, N 3

High resolution ion microscopy of cold atoms — •Raphael Nold, Markus Stecker, Andreas Günther, and József Fortágh — Center for Quantum Science, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Tübingen, Germany

We report on an ion-optical system serving as a microscope for ultracold ground state and Rydberg atoms. The system is designed to achieve a magnification of up to 1000 and a spatial resolution in the 100nm range, thereby surpassing many standard imaging techniques for cold atoms. This allows the observation of trapped quantum gases with single atom sensitivity and high temporal and spatial resolution.

We present the ion optics setup and the corresponding simulations, which show the theoretical limits of the system in terms of magnification and resolution. We also show the experimental implementation in an ultra-cold atom setup. Using spatially patterned 480nm laser light, atoms are ionized out of a magneto-optical trap in order to characterize the imaging quality. Furthermore, we present excitation and detection of Rydberg atoms with this system.