Characterization of Laser-Cooled Atomic Samples
Department
Physics
Major
Physics
Research Advisor
Fischer, Daniel
Advisor's Department
Physics
Funding Source
OURE
Abstract
Laser cooling techniques, developed in the 1980s, are routinely used in labs and allow scientists to trap and cool atoms to near absolute-zero temperatures. This research project aims to understand the characteristics of ultra-cooled lithium-7 samples in three different trapping schemes. First, a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) is the most common type of atom trap which utilizes a magnetic field and three pairs of mutually perpendicular, counter-propagating laser beams. Second, an All-Optical Trap (AOT), developed over the last two years by the MST team, is an advanced trapping scheme that does not rely on a magnetic field. Last, an Optical Dipole Trap (ODT) which allows for temperatures several magnitudes lower than what can be achieved with the other two trapping schemes. Characterization methods are based primarily on fluorescence and absorption imaging to obtain information about temperature, particle density and polarization.
Biography
Katrina Compton is currently earning her undergraduate degree in physics from MST. This is her second research project in the physics department and in 2018, she worked in Dr. Fischer's lab as a First Year Research Opportunity (FYRE) program participant.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Sciences poster session, Third place
Location
Upper Atrium
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2019, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Characterization of Laser-Cooled Atomic Samples
Upper Atrium
Laser cooling techniques, developed in the 1980s, are routinely used in labs and allow scientists to trap and cool atoms to near absolute-zero temperatures. This research project aims to understand the characteristics of ultra-cooled lithium-7 samples in three different trapping schemes. First, a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) is the most common type of atom trap which utilizes a magnetic field and three pairs of mutually perpendicular, counter-propagating laser beams. Second, an All-Optical Trap (AOT), developed over the last two years by the MST team, is an advanced trapping scheme that does not rely on a magnetic field. Last, an Optical Dipole Trap (ODT) which allows for temperatures several magnitudes lower than what can be achieved with the other two trapping schemes. Characterization methods are based primarily on fluorescence and absorption imaging to obtain information about temperature, particle density and polarization.
