A method of state-selective transfer of atoms between microtraps based on the Franck-Condon Principle

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for transferring cold atoms between microtraps using a Raman transition inspired by the Franck-Condon principle, enabling precise control and deterministic single-atom preparation for quantum computing.

Contribution

It presents a novel transfer technique based on vibrational state overlaps and demonstrates deterministic single-atom transfer in microtrap systems.

Findings

Efficient atom transfer achieved through optimized wave function overlap.

Analogous to molecular spectroscopy's Franck-Condon principle.

Deterministic single-atom preparation demonstrated.

Abstract

We present a method of transferring a cold atom between spatially separated microtraps by means of a Raman transition between the ground motional states of the two traps. The intermediate states for the Raman transition are the vibrational levels of a third microtrap, and we determine the experimental conditions for which the overlap of the wave functions leads to an efficient transfer. There is a close analogy with the Franck-Condon principle in the spectroscopy of molecules. Spin-dependent manipulation of neutral atoms in microtraps has important applications in quantum information processing. We also show that starting with several atoms, precisely one atom can be transferred to the final potential well hence giving deterministic preparation of single atoms.