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SUMMARY:Optical trapping of an ion - Christian Schneider (Max-Planck-Insti
 tut)
DTSTART:20101206T153000Z
DTEND:20101206T170000Z
UID:TALK27453@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:6270
DESCRIPTION:Direct experimental access to some of the most intriguing and 
 puzzling quantum phenomena is difficult due to their fragility to noise. T
 heir simulation on conventional computers is impossible\, since quantum be
 haviour is not efficiently translatable in classical language. However\, o
 ne could gain deeper insight into complex quantum dynamics via experimenta
 lly simulating the quantum behaviour of interest in another quantum system
 \, where not all but the relevant parameters and interactions can be contr
 olled and robust effects detected sufficiently well. One example is simula
 ting quantum-spin systems with trapped ions. \n\nAfter a proof of principl
 e experiment based on two ions/spins only\, we aim to explore the limitati
 ons and prospects and the options for scaling to larger and two dimensiona
 l systems. On the one hand\, we shortly present our new trapping architect
 ures based on arrays of radio-frequency traps. On the other hand\, we aim 
 to trigger the discussion how to merge the advantages for quantum simulati
 ons with ions and optical lattices. \nAs a first experimental step\, we we
 re able to trap an ion optically. We initialize the ion via trapping and l
 aser cooling in our linear Paul trap\, turn on the optical dipole trap and
  switch off the Paul trap. The time dependence of the optical trapping pro
 bability is investigated and the ion’s survival detected via resonance f
 luorescence in the reactivated Paul trap.   \n\nIn the near future\, we pl
 an to realize cooling to increase the life time and to investigate the lim
 itations on the coherence times. Loading two ions and/or one ion and atoms
  into the identical one-dimensional optical lattice could be explored. Thi
 s approach demonstrates not only the feasibility of optically trapping ion
 s\, but allows to dream of scalable quantum simulations providing long ran
 ge interaction and individual addressability. In addition\, a new class of
  quantum simulations might become accessible\, based on the potentially in
 triguing interplay between neutral and charged particles in common optical
  lattices. Furthermore\, confining an ion and atoms in one common optical 
 dipole trap might allow to investigate the most interesting physics of ult
 ra cold collisions without the limitations set by radio-frequency driven m
 icro-motion.\n\n
LOCATION:Rutherford building\, Seminar Room B
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