Mainz 2017 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 53: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics III

Q 53.21: Poster

Thursday, March 9, 2017, 17:00–19:00, P OG2

Diffusion of Single Atoms in Bath — •Daniel Adam, Farina Kindermann, Tobias Lausch, Daniel Mayer, Felix Schmidt, Steve Haupt, Michael Hohmann, Nicolas Spethmann, and Artur Widera — TU Kaiserslautern, Department of Physics, Kaiserslautern, Germany

Diffusion is an essential phenomenon occurring in various systems such as biological cells, traffic models or stock markets. While most systems are well described by standard Brownian motion, anomalous diffusion can lead to markedly different dynamical properties.

Experimentally, we study the diffusion of individual atoms illuminated by near-resonant light and trapped in a periodic potential. All relevant parameters such as damping coefficient and potential hight can be controlled in order to realize different diffusive regimes.

We explore the amount of information contained in the Kramers rate, i. e. the rate at which a diffusing atom can escape from a potential well. Furthermore we exploit the excellent control over the optical trapping potential and study the diffusion of the atom in a time-varying periodic trap, complemented by numerical simulations of the dynamics.