Fluorescence detection of single lithium atoms in an optical lattice using Doppler-cooling beams

Hyok Sang Han, Hyun Gyung Lee, Seokchan Yoon, D. Cho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We demonstrate in situ fluorescence detection of 7Li atoms in a 1D optical lattice with single atom precision. Even though illuminated lithium atoms tend to boil out, when the lattice is deep, red-detuned probe beams without extra cooling retain the atoms while producing sufficient fluorescent photons for detection. When the depth of the potential well at an antinode is 1.6 mK, an atom remains trapped for longer than 20 s while scattering probe photons at the rate of 5.3 104 s-1. We propose a simple model that describes the dependence of the lifetime of an atom on well depth. When the number of trapped atoms is reduced, a clear stepwise change in integrated fluorescence is observed, indicating the detection of a single atom. The presence or absence of an atom is determined within 300 ms with an error of less than 5 10-4 at a photon-collecting efficiency of 1%, which is limited by the small numerical aperture.

Original languageEnglish
Article number155002
JournalJournal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Volume51
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Jul 6

Keywords

  • fluorescence detection
  • optical lattice
  • single atoms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fluorescence detection of single lithium atoms in an optical lattice using Doppler-cooling beams'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this