The construction of a bosonic quantum-gas microscope

  • Ilian Despard

Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

Quantum-gas microscopy has proven to be a valuable tool for the field of quantum simulation. It provides single-atom and single-site resolution for atoms contained within an optical lattice. This has enabled the study of Hubbard models for both bosons and fermions, the observation of quantum walks and the probing of complex dynamical systems out of equilibrium. This thesis presents the construction of a quantum-gas microscope for 87Rb that achieves single-atom and single-site imaging resolution. I start with presenting the theoretical models which describe the physics of an ultra-cold cloud of atoms cooled to form a Bose-Einstein condensate. I present the creation of an all-optically cooled condensate of 3 x 105 atoms in a time of less than 4 s which is initially cooled through the use of grey molasses cooling on the D2 line. Following this, I present the experimental procedure for creating a 2D system of ultracold atoms, at quantum degeneracy, contained within a 3D optical lattice. The 2D system is then imaged using a large NA objective and single-site resolved images are obtained. During the conclusion of this thesis, preliminary results are presented showing the creation of a Mott insulator and a discussion on the future of the experiment, including the introduction of a second bosonic species, 85Rb.
Date of Award8 Jun 2022
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University Of Strathclyde
SponsorsEPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
SupervisorStefan Kuhr (Supervisor) & Paul Griffin (Supervisor)

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