| NSF Org: |
PHY Division Of Physics |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 25, 2011 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 1, 2013 |
| Award Number: | 1101254 |
| Award Instrument: | Continuing Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Ann Orel
PHY Division Of Physics MPS Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2011 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2015 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $261,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $261,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
FY 2012 = $87,000.00 FY 2013 = $87,000.00 |
| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133 STORRS CT US 06269-9018 (860)486-3622 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133 STORRS CT US 06269-9018 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | AMO Theory/Atomic, Molecular & |
| Primary Program Source: |
01001213DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT 01001314DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT |
| Program Reference Code(s): | |
| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.049 |
ABSTRACT
Ultracold atoms are excellent probes with which to make precise measurements. Because ultracold atoms are very slow (with temperature now reaching a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero), they are very sensitive to weak interactions. During the past few years, major progress in the manipulation of atoms and ions (i.e. atoms that lost or gained extra electrons) has led to a revolution in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics, with discoveries of new phases on matter, and application ranging from more precise clocks to quantum computing and cryptography. This research program initiates a new effort in our understanding and, ultimately, control of the interaction between ultracold atoms and ions. For example, one aim of this research is to manipulate individual particles so that an electron jumps (or not) at will between an ion and a neutral atoms. This level of control depends on a precise understanding of the minute interactions between particles, and with their environment (such as magnetic fields), and will impact research for more precise time-standards, and our ability to engineer setups mimicking very complex systems, such as quantum diffusion or superconductivity.
Although it is always difficult to "predict" the broader impact of any research program, a better understanding of ultracold systems containing a few charged particles will impact not only the development of new frequency standards and quantum information processing, but also many aspects relevant to other fields in science (the application of the results will be relevant to plasma physics, condensed matter physics, chemical physics, information science, etc.). In addition, this activity will promote teaching and training at all levels, from K-12 to the graduate level, and thus help in our goal of maintaining a highly trained workforce for the future.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
In this research program, we explored how ultraold charged samples behave under a range of conditions. We first explored how ultracold molecular ions (e.g., NaCa+) could be formed using laser light, by associating a sodium (Na) atom with a calcium ion (Ca+) where they both are very slow (i.e. very cold). This kind of research is very useful to guide experimental efforts where ultacold ions are used, such as in the new approach using cold trapped ions where reactions based on single atoms or molecules can be detected.
Another aspect of the research is the control of charge exchange between an atom and an ion. We investigated how one could control the electron jumping between both using an external "knob" (a magetic field). This research is important since it allows one to control a process crucial in condensed matter system where the mobility of charges could be controlled at will.
Another important result is our finding that Rydberg electrons (i.e. electron from an atom excited into a high elergy level) could interact with atoms in what is known as a degenerate gas (or Bose-Einstein condensate - BEC). In such a BEC, the atoms behave collectively instead of individually. We found that Rydberg electrons can excited the vibration (phonon) of atoms in a BEC, which in turn affects the Rydberg electron itself. This "self-interaction" would allow the "imaging" of the electron wave function, and to study how electron-phonon interaction can lead to an attractive force between electron (in a way reminiscent of superconductivity).
Other aspects of ultracold samples were also studied in this research program. We explored how resonances affect collisions and reactions in the ultracold regime. Such effects are key to understand ultracold chemical reactions. We investigated ways to mimic the occurence of these resonances using lasers coupling the system to Rydberg states, and showed that it could be possible to drastically change the properties of those ultracold samples.
Last Modified: 11/24/2015
Modified by: Robin J Cote
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