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Coherent Control in Cavity QED

Citation

Northup, Tracy Eleanor (2008) Coherent Control in Cavity QED. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/RDB5-3862. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05242008-114227

Abstract

Advances in cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) have allowed us to trap single cesium atoms within the field of a small optical resonator and to observe their strongly coupled interaction. However, in order to take advantage of this interaction as a resource for quantum information, we need to develop new techniques for control of the atom-cavity system. This thesis presents a series of experiments with the common goal of coherent control.

We have demonstrated the cooling of the center-of-mass motion of a trapped atom to its vibrational ground state along the cavity axis, and we have quantified the reversible nature of the process which maps a coherent state at the cavity input onto an atomic state. A new optical pumping method which exploits incoherent Raman transitions now allows us to prepare a trapped atom in any desired Zeeman state. I detail the technical steps which have enabled these results, including a conditional loading scheme which confirms the presence of at most one atom in the cavity. I outline our current efforts to characterize ground state population transfer via Raman transitions, which we hope will provide the basis for entanglement generation between atomic Zeeman states and photon polarization states. Two separate projects to construct new cavities and vacuum chamber systems are also discussed in the framework of future experiment design.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:quantum optics; strong coupling
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Kimble, H. Jeff
Thesis Committee:
  • Kimble, H. Jeff (chair)
  • Refael, Gil
  • Zmuidzinas, Jonas
  • Painter, Oskar J.
Defense Date:22 May 2008
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-05242008-114227
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05242008-114227
DOI:10.7907/RDB5-3862
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Northup, Tracy Eleanor0000-0002-1071-2218
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:2035
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:04 Jun 2008
Last Modified:08 Nov 2023 18:42

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