Quantifying Light-Assisted Collisions in Optical Tweezers across the Hyperfine Spectrum

Area of Science:

• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics
• Quantum Science and Technology
• Cold Atom Physics

Background:

• Resonant-dipole interactions are crucial for controlling cold atoms.
• Hyperfine structure plays a significant role in atom-atom interactions.
• Light-assisted collisions (LACs) are a key phenomenon in cold atom experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of hyperfine structure on resonant-dipole interactions between two cotrapped atoms.
• To measure two-body loss rates from LACs across the Rubidium-87 hyperfine spectrum.
• To connect experimental loss rates to molecular photoassociation potentials using a semiclassical model.

Main Methods:

• Measured two-body loss rates from light-assisted collisions (LACs) in an optical tweezer.
• Utilized a novel imaging technique leveraging repulsive LACs for two-atom detection.
• Employed a semiclassical model to link collision data to molecular photoassociation potentials.

Main Results:

• Quantified two-body loss rates across the Rubidium-87 hyperfine spectrum.
• Established a connection between LACs and molecular photoassociation potentials.
• Demonstrated a new imaging method overcoming parity constraints in optical tweezers.

Conclusions:

• Hyperfine structure significantly influences resonant-dipole interactions and LACs.
• The developed imaging technique enables precise detection of two atoms in a trap.
• Findings provide insights for controlling cold atoms and molecules in quantum applications.