Using an Atomic Molecular Optics Laboratory for Undergraduate Research and Mentoring of Physics Students in Georgia

POSTER

Abstract

An Atomic and Molecular Optical (AMO) Physics research lab is an excellent tool to train and mentor undergraduate students in advanced laboratory techniques. Students gain valuable basic experience in experimental designs, data acquisition techniques, working with high precision optical equipment, building electronics, and working in the machine shop. Current projects include machining a laser mount and constructing a current supply circuit and temperature controller for a slave laser. Completed projects involved milling the vacuum chamber mounts to support the chamber, and machining Helmholtz coils for the chamber, which is being used to trap the atoms in a Magneto Optical Trap (MOT). This included designing, building and baking out the vacuum chamber, constructing a Rb getter for the chamber, and building the lasers for a saturation-absorption system that is used to probe the 5$^{2}$S$_{1/2}\to $ 5$^{2}$P$_{3/2}$ hyperfine energy transitions of the Rb-85 atom. These energy transitions will be used to frequency-lock a diode laser to trap Rb-85 atoms and then cool them to ultra-low temperatures. The atom cooling will permit observation and measurement of the fundamental properties of atoms. This lab has mentored and supported over ten undergraduate students in the last four years, of which one became a High School Teacher, three joined Ph.D. programs, and one went to optometry school.

Authors

  • Hauke Busch

    Georgia College

  • Brad Cox

    North Carolnia State University, Vanderbilt University, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, Francis Marion Univ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Georgia College, JINR, Tsinghua University, LBNL, GANIL, Austin Peay State University, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universit\'e de Rennes, Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge TN 37831, American Superconductor Corp., Westborough MA 01581, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega GA 30597, Florida State University, Ecole Polytechnique, Space Telescope Science Institute, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Austin Peay State Univerity, North Carolna State University, Florida Intl Univ, University of North Georgia, Clemson University, Clemson Univ, Vanderbilt University/ORNL, Vanderbilt University/Univ. of Kentucky, College of William and Mary, Louisiana State University, Presbyterian College, North Carolina State Univ, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Virginia Tech University, Hollins University, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Davidson College, University of Tennessee, American Superconductor Corporation, University of South Alabama, North Carolina State University, James Madison University, Lousiana State University, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon Korea

  • Brad Cox

    North Carolnia State University, Vanderbilt University, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, Francis Marion Univ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Georgia College, JINR, Tsinghua University, LBNL, GANIL, Austin Peay State University, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universit\'e de Rennes, Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge TN 37831, American Superconductor Corp., Westborough MA 01581, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega GA 30597, Florida State University, Ecole Polytechnique, Space Telescope Science Institute, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Austin Peay State Univerity, North Carolna State University, Florida Intl Univ, University of North Georgia, Clemson University, Clemson Univ, Vanderbilt University/ORNL, Vanderbilt University/Univ. of Kentucky, College of William and Mary, Louisiana State University, Presbyterian College, North Carolina State Univ, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Virginia Tech University, Hollins University, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Davidson College, University of Tennessee, American Superconductor Corporation, University of South Alabama, North Carolina State University, James Madison University, Lousiana State University, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon Korea

  • Brad Cox

    North Carolnia State University, Vanderbilt University, University of South Carolina, University of Virginia, Francis Marion Univ, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Georgia College, JINR, Tsinghua University, LBNL, GANIL, Austin Peay State University, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universit\'e de Rennes, Austin Peay State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge TN 37831, American Superconductor Corp., Westborough MA 01581, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega GA 30597, Florida State University, Ecole Polytechnique, Space Telescope Science Institute, Fermi National Accelerator Lab, National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Austin Peay State Univerity, North Carolna State University, Florida Intl Univ, University of North Georgia, Clemson University, Clemson Univ, Vanderbilt University/ORNL, Vanderbilt University/Univ. of Kentucky, College of William and Mary, Louisiana State University, Presbyterian College, North Carolina State Univ, Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Virginia Tech University, Hollins University, University of Tennessee Space Institute, Davidson College, University of Tennessee, American Superconductor Corporation, University of South Alabama, North Carolina State University, James Madison University, Lousiana State University, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon Korea