High-Magnetic-Field Rydberg Atom Interactions.

[摘要] In this thesis I examine high-magnetic-field Rydberg spectra, with the goal of discerning the viability of using such states as an interaction mechanism for quantum computation processes.In the presence of a strong magnetic field of B0 = 2.6 T, high-lying states of E ~ -55 cm(-1) are non-degenerate and show a wide range of magnetic dipole moments.Near-degenerate pairs of states of the same mJ manifold but of different axial parity Pi_z will strongly interact in the presence of an applied weak parallel electric field F, generating a pair of highly polar states.I show experimental results that, in agreement with theoretical work presented here, illustrate the presence of strong permanent dipole moments p ~ 1500 ea0 under these conditions.Such Rydberg states can also be tuned into resonance through careful control of the magnetic field, and are suitable for developing quantum phase gates and performing Rydberg-Rydberg interaction experiments.In order to perform such high-field Rydberg excitation experiments, a stable, dense and well-controlled cold atom cloud is needed within a high-magnetic-field environment.Toward this end, I present a full characterization of the utilized high-field trapping apparatus, including measurements of the trapped atom sample size, shape, and temperature.Analysis of the loss rate from the high-magnetic-field atom trap, both as a function of the applied magnetic field B0 and transverse confinement are presented.Experimental results for the high-field confinement of 85Rb are presented, as well as the first demonstration of a high-field 87Rb trap.Current trap limitations and possible improvements to the trapping apparatus are discussed.Other applications of the high-magnetic-field trap, such as the investigation of ultracold two-component plasmas and three-body recombination experiments, are also presented.

[发布机构] University of Michigan

[效力级别] Rydberg Spectroscopy

[关键词] High Magnetic Field;Rydberg Spectroscopy;Physics;Science;Physics