Generation of Scalable Quantum Entanglement:
The generation and study of scalable quantum entanglement
is one of the grand challenges of modern physics. We have
been working towards this goal, using the many-body physics
of Bose-Einstein condensates to prepare atomic number states
as the building block for entanglement. We have developed a
unique system that includes a tightly confined condensate in
a 1-D box potential, providing an experimental realization of
the "particle in a box." We have also developed sensitive
detection that can resolve a single atom with nearly unit
efficiency. We will use this system to study the control of
a many body system. We have recently succeeded in generating
atomic number squeezing and our results are consistent with the
production of atomic many-body number states. These results
are also in agreement with a recent theoretical analysis that
we performed. Atomic number states are the building block for
controlled study of quantum entanglement, few-body tunneling,
and quantum computing. The methods of atom counting should also
enable a first statistical study of quantum critical phenomena.
Comprehensive Control of Atomic and Molecular Motion:
We have been working to develop new methods of cooling and
trapping that are applicable to any atom or molecule, a result
of far-reaching significance for physics and chemistry. The
starting point for our work is the supersonic molecular beam
which is an important tool in Physical Chemistry. In
collaboration with Professor Uzi Even, a Chemist from Tel-Aviv
University, we are using a unique valve that he developed and
which provides a pulse duration as short as 10 microseconds
combined with cryogenic operation. This serves as a universal
platform for cold but fast atoms and molecules that are seeded
or entrained into the supersonic flow. We proposed that a
series of pulsed magnetic field coils could stop and trap any
paramagnetic species. This "atomic coilgun" was inspired by
the coilgun which is used to launch large projectiles. We
reported the first experimental slowing of metastable neon
atoms in Fall 2007 and have now completely stopped the beam.
Atoms and molecules that are magnetically trapped can be further
cooled with a new method that we developed based on a "one-way
wall of light."
We have also developed a method to slow atoms or molecules that
do not have a magnetic moment using elastic reflection from a
single crystal that is mounted on a spinning rotor. We have
demonstrated coherent slowing of ground-state helium. This work
opens a new field of "crystal atom optics." We are investigating
the possible construction of an atomic interferometer based on a
single crystal with potential important applications for inertial
sensing.
Trapping of Atomic Hydrogen Isotopes:
We will apply the methods described above to trapping and cooling
of atomic hydrogen isotopes. Atomic hydrogen has been the
"Rosetta Stone" of physics for many years and is the simplest and
most abundant atom in the universe. The two isotopes of hydrogen
are deuterium with one neutron, and tritium with two neutrons.
Precision spectroscopy of these isotopes continues to be of great
interest to atomic physics and nuclear physics. Tritium is the
simplest radioactive element and serves as an ideal system for
the study of beta decay. The latter may be the only way to
determine the electron neutrino rest mass, one of the most pressing
questions in physics and astronomy. Despite these very important
features, hydrogen has remained very difficult to control and trap
while deuterium and tritium have never been trapped.
The first stage of our research will concentrate on trapping of
hydrogen and deuterium where precision spectroscopy will be performed.
This work will serve as a natural stepping stone to trapping of
atomic tritium and an experiment to determine the neutrino rest mass.
