Ultracold atoms and trapped ions are among the most formidable sources of coherent matter available in a laboratory. In a hybrid quantum system of atoms and ions, ultracold atoms and trapped ions are combined in a single experimental apparatus, thus realizing an innovative platform to experimentally investigate open problems of quantum physics from a new standpoint. An atom-ion hybrid system not only brings together the advantages of each single physical system, but moreover gives rise to atom-ion interactions, which are two orders of magnitude longer-ranged than atom-atom interactions. Despite a strong interest in atom-ion experiments in recent years, atom-ion systems have not yet been brought to an s-wave scattering regime in which atoms and ions experience a long-living coherent evolution.
I will report on the advancements in the realization of an experimental apparatus in which a single trapped Barium ion will be immersed into an ultracold gas of fermionic Lithium. In particular, I will report on the a number of technical advancements that we have realized in order to achieve the highest possible level of control over the atom-ion quantum mixture. These include a new ion trap for creating confining potentials for the ions with a combination of optical and electric fields [1], and a high-finesse optical cavity for confining and rapidly cool neutral atoms via unconventional sideband cooling [2]. Notably, this apparatus was recently used to successfully trap Ba+ ions, thus realizing the first ion trapping experiment in Italy.
[1] E. Perego, L. Duca, C. Sias Appl. Sci. 10, 2222 (2020)
[2] F. Berto, E. Perego, L. Duca, C. Sias arXiv:2107.04110 Phys. Rev. Research (in press)
We present our patented extended-cavity diode laser (ECDL) based on a modified Littrow configuration. Here, the coarse wavelength adjustment via the rotation of a diffraction grating is decoupled from the fine tuning of the external cavity modes by positioning a piezoelectric transducer behind the diode laser. As a result, the fine adjustment of the laser frequency with the piezo does not affect neither the optical feedback alignment nor the broader grating frequency selection curve, resulting in a better mode-hop stable performance compared to the one of standard Littrow ECDLs without optimized pivotal point. We characterize the design and show that it is well suited to atomic and molecular experiments demanding a high level of stability over time and for long cavities ECDLs.
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