Towards quantum and non-linear optics with buffer-gas cooled atoms and molecules

POSTER

Abstract

We report on our progress towards using buffer-gas cooling to produce cold coherent optical media with high optical depth. Helium buffer gas is used to cool to a few Kelvin a continuous stream of Rb atoms produced in an oven. While the first experimental demonstration will focus on electromagnetically induced transparency in Rb, we envision a variety of applications, ranging from nonlinear and quantum optics to precision measurements, with atomic or molecular species that are much more difficult to cool using other methods.

Authors

  • Sofia Magkiriadou

    Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms

  • Dave Patterson

    Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms

  • Alexey Gorshkov

    Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms

  • Alexander Zibrov

    Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms, Harvard University, Physics Department, Harvard University, Harvard

  • Mikhail D. Lukin

    Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms, Harvard University, Physics Department, Harvard University, Cambridge-MA, 20138., Harvard, Department of Physics, Harvard University

  • John Doyle

    Harvard-MIT Center for Ultracold Atoms