Atom guiding in free-space light beams and photonic crystal fibres

Optical wave guides;Atoms--Cooling;Laser cooling;Optical fibres

Livesey, John Gregor ; Dholakia, Kishan ; Dholakia, Kishan

University:University of St Andrews

Department:Physics & Astronomy (School of)

关键词: Optical wave guides;    Atoms--Cooling;    Laser cooling;    Optical fibres;   

Others  :  https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10023/356/John%20G.%20Livesey%20PhD%20thesis.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

来源: DR-NTU

【 摘 要 】

In this thesis I describe experimental work and present data on the guiding ofRubidium atoms along free-space propagating light beams as well as within hollowcore glass fibres, namely photonic crystal fibres. I describe experiments, laser systemsand vacuum trap assemblies designed to facilitate this guiding.These experiments are intended to aid progression within the field of coldatom guidance wherein narrow diameter, long distance hollow-fibre guides are acurrent goal. Realisation of these guides could lead to promising applications such asatom interferometers and spatially accurate, multi-source, atom depositors.Herein, guided fluxes are observed in free-space guiding experiments fordistances up to 50mm and up to 10GHz red-detuning from resonance. Additionallyhollow-core, Kagome structured, quasi- and true-photonic crystal fibres arecharacterised. Finally a number of detailed fibre-guiding magneto-optic traps aredeveloped.Both cold atomic-beams and cold atomic clouds are reliably positioned abovefibre entrance facets in conjunction with a guiding laser beam coupled into the fibrecore.Issues regarding optical flux detection outwith fibre confinement appear tohave hindered observation of guided atoms. A far more sensitive detection system hasbeen developed for use in current, ongoing fibre-guide experiments.