Number-resolved preparation of mesoscopic atomic ensembles

authored by
A. Hueper, C. Puer, M. Hetzel, J. Geng, J. Peise, I Kruse, M. Kristensen, W. Ertmer, J. Arlt, C. Klempt
Abstract

The analysis of entangled atomic ensembles and their application for interferometry beyond the standard quantum limit requires an accurate determination of the number of atoms. We present an accurate fluorescence detection technique for atoms that is fully integrated into an experimental apparatus for the production of many-particle entangled quantum states. Number-resolved fluorescence measurements with single-atom accuracy for 1 up to 30 atoms are presented. According to our noise analysis, we extrapolate that the single-atom accuracy extends to a limiting atom number of 390(20) atoms. We utilize the accurate atom number detection for a number stabilization of the laser-cooled atomic ensemble. For a target ensemble size of 7 atoms prepared on demand, we achieve a 92(2)% preparation fidelity and reach number fluctuations 18(1) dB below the shot noise level using real-time feedback on the magneto-optical trap.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Quantum Optics
QuantumFrontiers
CRC 1227 Designed Quantum States of Matter (DQ-mat)
External Organisation(s)
Westlake University
Aarhus University
DLR-Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensing
Type
Article
Journal
New journal of physics
Volume
23
ISSN
1367-2630
Publication date
13.12.2020
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Physics and Astronomy(all)
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/abd058 (Access: Open)