Have you ever wondered, what makes the difference between a theoretical and an experimental physics lectures? We did – and the result is a novel approach to teaching, in particular, teaching modern concepts of experimental atomic physics, laser spectroscopy and laser cooling.
The video below shows a cloud of atoms captured in a magneto-optical trap as the final stage of this project.
The final “product” of the practical training efforts is the realization of a so-called magneto-optical trap (fig.1) of Rb atoms. This is the workhorse for basically all cold atom experiments and the basis for many current atomic physics, quantum optics, quantum information and experimental quantum mechanics research. Basic understanding of spectral lines of Rb (fig.2) is quite important in order to manipulate atoms. To this end, you will learn how atoms can be cooled with light, what the technical prerequisites are and how to ultimately implement the concepts in a lab. And the important part: You, i.e. the students, will implement these yourself!
- laser, polarization, optics
- laser spectroscopy, laser frequency modulation, laser frequency stabilisation
- Goal: creation and detection of a MOT at 100 µK
- duration: 6 to 8 days
- requisite: experimental physics 5a (Atomic and quantum physics)
- successful participants will be awarded the equivalent of 3 advanced laboratory courses
- a total of 2 groups (3 people resp.) can work in parallel on the experiment
The development of the leading concept is funded by the Gutenberg Lehrkolleg. The graduate school of excellence Mainz, the excellence cluster PRISMA, the Institute of Physics, the research unit QUANTUM and the advanced students lab financially support the necessary lab equipment.