Preparation of mesoscopic atomic ensembles with single-particle resolution

authored by

A. Hüper, C. Pür, 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. Single-particle resolving fluorescence measurements for \(1\) up to \(30\) atoms are presented. According to our noise analysis, we extrapolate that the single-atom resolution 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 \(18(1)\,\mathrm{dB}\) below the shot noise level using real-time feedback on the magneto-optical trap.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Quantum Optics
QuantumFrontiers

External Organisation(s)

Aarhus University

Type

Preprint

No. of pages

10

Publication date

11.12.2019

Publication status

E-pub ahead of print

Electronic version(s)

https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.05689 (Access: Open)