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Results for “Atom Optics”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

W:Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite thin films with tunable optical properties prepared by atomic layer deposition

Here, a systematic alteration in the optical properties of W:Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite films is demonstrated by precisely varying the W cycle percentage (W%) from 0 to 100% in Al 2 O 3 during atomic layer deposition. The direct and indirect band energies of the nanocomposite materials decrease from 5.2 to 4.2 eV and from 3.3 to 1.8 eV, respectively, by increasing the W% from 10 to 40. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals that, for W% < 50, W is present in both metallic and suboxide states, whereas, for W% ≥ 50, only metallic W is seen. This transition from dielectric to metallic character at W% ~ 50 is accompanied by an increase in the electrical and thermal conductivity and the disappearance of a clear band gap in the absorption spectrum. The density of the films increases monotonically from 3.1 g/cm 3 for pure Al 2 O 3 to 17.1 g/cm 3 for pure W, whereas the surface roughness is greatest for the W% = 50 films. The W:Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite films are thermally stable and show little change in optical properties upon annealing in air at 500 °C. These W:Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite films show promise as selective solar absorption coatings for concentrated solar power applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Nanowire photonic crystal waveguides for single-atom trapping and strong light-matter interactions

We present a comprehensive study of dispersion-engineered nanowire photonic crystal waveguides suitable for experiments in quantum optics and atomic physics with optically trapped atoms. Detailed design methodology and specifications are provided, as are the processing steps used to create silicon nitride waveguides of low optical loss in the near-IR. Measurements of the waveguide optical properties and power-handling capability are also presented.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Trapping of lithium atoms in a large hollow optical dipole trap

We describe the trapping of lithium atoms in an optical dipole trap about 1 mm in size, with a nearly rectangular potential. The trap has the shape of a cylinder with flat bases. The confinement region is bounded by thin walls produced by light with a frequency blue-detuned from an atomic transition (resonance) frequency by 19 GHz. Before trapping, the gas is collected and cooled in a magneto-optical trap whose centre nearly coincides with the centre of the dipole trap. After switching off the magneto-optical trap, we have photographed the atoms remaining in the dipole trap. (paper)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analysis of the light shift in the hyper-Ramsey scheme of two-level atom interrogation in an optically dense medium

The properties of the Ramsey resonance and its sensitivity to the light shift of the atomic transition frequency are investigated in the case of the hyper-Ramsey interrogation in an optically dense medium of cold atoms. The shape of the interrogating pulses varies significantly due to the processes of absorption and dispersion in the atomic medium, which leads to a distortion of the Ramsey resonance and a periodic change in the central minimum to the maximum and vice versa. The dependence of the position of the central resonance on the light shift of the atomic transition is found with the attenuation of radiation in the medium taken into account. It is shown that in a certain section of the medium this dependence becomes N-shaped. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1983

Study of multiple optical transitions in 87Rb using laser diodes

Recent work with laser diodes has indicated their potential usefulness in optically pumping atomic frequency standards. Various optical pumping schemes for (87)Rb incorporating such light sources at two D1 frequencies for experimental situations of either evacuated wall-coated cells or atomic beams are considered. Numerical integration of rate equations governing the level populations with arbitrary pumping light choices of intensity, D1 hyperfine transition(s), and polarization and subsequent calculation of scattered light provide a simplified 0-0 hyperfine signal analysis. By frequency modulating one laser diode, two optical transitions were excited in an evacuated wall-coated cell and a large delta m(F) = 1 hf signal was observed.

Newton, C. L. J.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Geometric effects in the effective-mass theory and topological optical superlattices

Cold atoms tailored by an optical lattice have become a fascinating arena for simulating quantum physics. In this area, one important and challenging problem is creating effective spin-orbit coupling (SOC), especially for fashioning a cold atomic gas into a topological phase, for which prevailing approaches mainly rely on the Raman coupling between the atomic internal states and a laser field. Herein, a strategy for realizing effective SOC is proposed by exploiting the geometric effects in the effective-mass theory, without resorting to internal atomic states. Furthermore, it is shown that the geometry of Bloch states can have nontrivial effects on the wave-mechanical states under external fields, leading to effective SOC and an effective Darwin term, which have been neglected in the standard effective-mass approximation. It is demonstrated that these relativisticlike effects can be employed to introduce effective SOC in a two-dimensional optical superlattice, and induce a nontrivial topological phase.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Localisation of atomic populations in the optical radiation field

The possibility of two-dimensional spatial localisation of atomic populations under the influence of the travelling wave fields in the tripod-configuration of quantum states is studied for the first time. Three travelling waves propagating in the same plane at an angle of 120° to each other form a system of standing waves under the influence of which atomic populations are localised. The size of the region of spatial localisation of the populations, in principle, can be hundredths of a wavelength of optical radiation. (quantum optics)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Arbitrary unitary transformations on optical states using a quantum memory

We show that optical memories arranged along an optical path can perform arbitrary unitary transformations on frequency domain optical states. The protocol offers favourable scaling and can be used with any quantum memory that uses an off-resonant Raman transition to reversibly transfer optical information to an atomic spin coherence.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quantum Rolling Friction

An atom moving in a vacuum at constant velocity and parallel to a surface experiences a frictional force induced by the dissipative interaction with the quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. We show that the combination of nonequilibrium dynamics, the anomalous Doppler effect, and spin-momentum locking of light mediates an intriguing interplay between the atom’s translational and rotational motion. In turn, this deeply affects the drag force in a way that is reminiscent of classical rolling friction. Our fully non-Markovian and nonequilibrium description reveals counterintuitive features characterizing the atom’s velocity-dependent rotational dynamics. Finally, these results prompt interesting directions for tuning the interaction and for investigating nonequilibrium dynamics as well as the properties of confined light.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1993

The early ultraviolet spectral evolution of Nova Cygni 1992

We report on the high resolution ultraviolet line profile evolution of Nova Cygni 1992 using the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite and the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Our observations cover the period from discovery in 1992 February through 1993 April. The initial expansion velocity, derived from P Cyg profiles on Mg II and other resonance lines, was about 4500 km/s. All resonance transitions displayed P Cyg profiles around the time of UV maximum. We first discuss the spectral development as the initially optically thick atomic absorption curtain became optically thin. We then present the interpretation of the nebular spectral stage. The high resolution line profiles show that the shell rapidly developed nearly symmetric knots, or filaments, of emission. The optically thin transitions show an emission weighted expansion velocity of about 1800 km/s, consistent with the velocity inferred from the radio and infrared data. The emission lines display a symmetric set of filaments that appeared as soon as the line profiles became optically thin. The GHRS observations demonstrate that the filaments were located in the inner, slower moving parts of the ejecta. These probably record an initial low wave number instability imposed on the ejecta at the time of outburst. We suggest that the likely cause is a Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The emission at later stages is dominated by the filaments and, since this phenomenon is seen in virtually all novae, nebular line formation codes will have to account for the density inhomgeneities in order to adequately determine abundances for nove ejecta.

Shore, Steven N.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Interleaved dual-species arrays of single atoms using a passive optical element and one trapping laser

We demonstrate trapping of individual rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) atoms in an interleaved array of bright tweezers and dark bottle-beam traps, using a microfabricated optical element illuminated by a single-laser beam and a 4f system with spatial filtering. Our approach exploits the opposite-sign dynamic polarizabilities of Rb and Cs, ensuring that each species is exclusively trapped in either bright or dark sites. The passive optical mask creates optimal trap depths for both species using three transmittance levels while minimizing the optical phase difference, implemented using a variable-thickness absorbing layer of amorphous germanium. This trapping architecture achieves atom loading rates close to 50% while reducing system complexity compared to conventional methods using active optoelectronic components and/or multiple-laser wavelengths.

Fang, Chengyu [Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (Un↗
DOE OSTI2016

Single atom visibility in STEM optical depth sectioning

The continuing development of aberration correctors for the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) offers the possibility of locating single atoms in crystals in 3D via optical depth sectioning. The main factors that determine the feasibility of such an approach are visibility and dose requirements. In this paper, we show how Poisson's statistics can be quantitatively incorporated into STEM image simulations and demonstrate that the 3D location of single cerium atoms in wurtzite-type aluminum nitride is indeed feasible under large-angle illumination conditions with a relatively low dose. We also show that chromatic aberration does not presently represent a limitation provided a cold field emission source is used. Finally, these results suggest efforts into improved aberration corrector designs for larger illumination angles that offer significant potential for 3D structure determination of materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Astigmatism-free 3D optical tweezer control for rapid atom rearrangement

Reconfigurable neutral-atom arrays are a promising platform for quantum computing, quantum simulation, and quantum metrology, but atom transport using frequency-chirped acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) is limited by chirp-induced acoustic lensing and trajectory distortion. We address these limitations using a three-dimensional acousto-optic deflector lens (3D-AODL), a design predicted to reduce long-range transport times by more than a factor of two. We further introduce fading-Shepard waveforms that circumvent finite AOD bandwidth, enabling sustained axial displacement. We demonstrate unrestricted three-dimensional optical-tweezer motion over a 200 μm × 200 μm × 136 μm volume with velocities exceeding 4.2 m/s. Arbitrary three-dimensional control of optical-tweezer trajectories enables rapid atom rearrangement and dynamical engineering of optical potentials in tweezer arrays and optical lattices. This capability advances quantum control and atom manipulation in neutral-atom quantum processors by enabling faster rearrangement, higher clock rates, and scalable sorting in complex geometries.

Lu, Yue-Hui [University of California, Berkeley, C↗
NASA NTRS1994

Enhanced Reverse Saturable Absorption and Optical Limiting in Heavy-Atom Substituted Phthalocyanines

The reverse saturable absorption and optical limiting response of metal phthalocyaninies can be enhanced by using the heavy-atom effect. Phthalocyanines containing heavy metal atoms, such as In, Sn, and Pb show nearly a factor of two enhancement in the ratio of effective excited-state to ground-state absorption cross sections compared to those containing lighter atoms, such as Al and Si. In an f/8 optical geometry, homogeneous solutions of heavy metal phthalocyanines, at 30% linear transmission, limit 8-ns, 532-nm laser pulses to less than or equal to 3 (micro)J (the energy for 50% probability of eye damage) for incident pulses up to 800 (micro)J.

metal phthalocyanines↗
DOE OSTI2014

Precision spectroscopy of Mg atoms in a magneto-optical trap

We report the results of experimental investigations aimed at creation of the optical frequency standard based on magnesium atoms cooled and localised in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). An experimentally realised MOT for magnesium made it possible to obtain a cloud comprising ∼10{sup 6} – 10{sup 7} atoms at a temperature of 3 – 5 mK. The results of ultra-high resolution spectroscopy of intercombination {sup 1}S{sub 0} – {sup 3}P{sub 1} transition for Mg atom are presented, the resonances in time-domain separated optical fields with the half-width of Γ = 500 Hz are recorded, which corresponds to the Q-factor of the reference line Q = ν/Δν ∼ 1.3 × 10{sup 12}. (extreme light fields and their applications)

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Acousto-optic modulators for a controlled frequency shift of light beams in optical and microwave cold-atom frequency standards

A series of specialised acousto-optic modulators/frequency shifters based on paratellurite (TeO{sub 2}) single crystals is developed for systems of laser cooling and frequency stabilisation of laser sources in optical and microwave frequency standards based on cold strontium, rubidium and caesium atoms. The methods of calculation and optimisation of the main parameters of acousto-optic modulators are considered; their basic technical characteristics are experimentally investigated in the spectral range of optical radiation 460 – 900 nm and in the frequency shift range of 5 – 400 MHz. The modulators have a high diffraction efficiency, low power consumption and the ability to work with linearly and randomly polarised optical radiation. (frequency standards)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1990

New tabulation of the bound-continuum optical oscillator strength in hydrogenic atoms

Results are presented from calculations of the optical oscillator strength f(n, l, n-sqared epsilon), for hydrogenic atoms in the initial state n., and the final energy state, epsilon, for the range n between 1 and 50, l between 0 and 26, and epsilon between 0 and 10 to the 7th rydbergs/n-sqared. In addition, the bound-continuum oscillator strength is tabulated. The results of the calculations are compared with previously published values, showing satisfactory agreement.

Omidvar, Kazem↗