Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED) is a central paradigm for the study of open quantum systems.The study of cQED aims to understand phenomena such as quantum decoherence and the emergence of semiclassical dynamics, striving to better connect empirical realism and axiomatic theory.Within this quantum regime, it is possible to prepare a mechanical oscillator in pure quantum states and observe how it evolves under interaction with the environment.Furthermore, quantum coupling of these mechanical systems to ultracold atomic systems offers a novel approach to controlling macroscopic systems at the quantum level.We are laying the experimental groundwork for hybrid atom-optomechanics where the optomechanical coupling is atom-mediated using an ultracold 6 Li atomic gas.The ultracold 6 Li gas is to be in close proximity with and strongly coupled to a high quality factor fused silica microtoroid resonator by confinement in a two-color evanescent wave optical dipole trap.The infrastructure, construction, and operation of an ultracold Li apparatus is presented and followed with a report of the characterization of our first observation of an ultracold lithium gas in the laboratory.Specifically, this thesis briefly covers theory and experimental implementation of laser cooling methods, development of the homemade laser and laser amplifier systems, and development and construction of the homemade electronic systems for the precise control and monitoring of atomic parameters.Finally, magneto-optical trap characterization methods and images of the cold atoms using time-dependent fluorescence imaging are shown and followed with a discussion of further work. ACKNOWLEDGMENTSMany people have contributed to the success of this thesis, and I owe thanks to all of them.First, I am grateful to Prof. Mukund Vengalattore for giving me the opportunity to be a part of his group and to work on building the lithium experiment.His incredible passion, never-ending myriad of ideas he contributed to this work, and the exceptional work environment he created have been crucial to the success of this thesis and to my development as a masters student.I owe much thanks to my colleague in the lithium-6 experiment, Yogesh Patil, for his invaluable insights and close to instant understanding of many of the technical difficulties and physical effects.Much of the success of this thesis results from his insights during our countless discussions.Thank you so much for the time we spent in the lab together!Many thanks to our undergraduate member, Airlia Shaffer-Moag, for a full set of crosstalk data on all 32 DIO circuits.Also, many thanks to all other group members from previous years who provided the original designs that the circuits in the lithium experiment are based upon.Finally, I am grateful to those who were not directly involved in the lithium-6 experiment but nevertheless contributed to making this thesis a successful and very pleasant one.First, I thank Lauren Aycock for her guidance, encouragement and invaluable suggestions in the lab and on this thesis.I thank Collin Reynolds for pointing out some very key circuit issues and for his constant feedback and encouragement.Finally, I thank Srivatsan Chakram for his help and insights and for his willingness to discuss my questions! b To my instructors, mentors, and colleagues.
Source: eCommons (Cornell University)
Author: Kristina R. Colladay
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W178647340