A Box for Atoms

Dr. Robert Clark

Department of Physics

Noon, Friday, October 5, Greater Issues Room, Mark Clark Hall

 Abstract

Laser-cooled, trapped ions (charged atoms) have proven to be a fertile ground for fundamental studies in quantum mechanics. However, the production of an assembly of completely motionless ions has proven challenging. I present designs for a “box” for ions which, in principle, allows extraneous motions to be eliminated to an arbitrary degree. This sort of trap could prove an excellent setting for precision measurements, quantum information science, and studies of ultracold atomic collisions.