Claus Zimmermann - Group
Observing quantum gases in real time: single atom detection on a chip
H. Bender, A, Günther, A. Stibor, J. Fortágh, C. Zimmermann
Single magnetically trapped Rb atoms at an atom chip are detected with 67% efficiency by three photon ionization and subsequent ion detection in a channeltron electron multiplier. Energy shifts and energy broadening caused by the ionization lasers are studied in detail. State selective detection is possible with an additional microwave that couples the trapped atoms to an ionization sensitive hyperfine substate with a high energy resolution. Temperature and particle density of a trapped atomic gas is monitored in situ and in real time with little atom losses of only several percent. The investigation of g2-correlation functions and number statistics near the transition to quantum degeneracy should be accessible.
