Progress with Ultracold Rydberg Atoms in Electric Fields

POSTER

Abstract

We present progress toward realizing a gas of ultracold Rydberg atoms with defined dipole-dipole interactions. A two-photon process excites a transition in a magneto-optical trap of cold $^{87}$Rb, during which we apply an electric field to orient the dipole moment of the atoms. We have observed Autler-Townes splitting and the Stark shift of the Rydberg excitation energy, and report progress toward exciting polarized Rydbergs in an optical trap and optical lattice. These techniques have applications to neutral atom quantum computing, as well as studying the Extended Bose-Hubbard Model.

*This work is partially supported by IARPA.

Authors

  • J.E. Johnson

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland and National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, MD 20742, USA

  • I. Arakelyan

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland and National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, MD 20742, USA

  • Tao Hong

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland and National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, MD 20742, USA

  • S.L. Rolston

    • Joint Quantum Institute, Dept. of Physics, University of Maryland and National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, MD 20742, USA