High Resolution Imaging of Single Atoms in a Quantum Gas

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel high-resolution microscopy technique based on scanning electron microscopy that enables detection of single atoms in quantum gases with sub-150 nm resolution, facilitating detailed studies of quantum systems.

Contribution

The authors develop and demonstrate a new microscopy method that achieves single-atom sensitivity and sub-150 nm spatial resolution in quantum gases, surpassing previous imaging capabilities.

Findings

Achieved spatial resolution better than 150 nm.

Demonstrated single-site addressability in a 600 nm optical lattice.

Enabled direct imaging of Bose-Einstein condensates at the single-atom level.

Abstract

Our knowledge on ultracold quantum gases is strongly influenced by our ability to probe these objects. In situ imaging combined with single atom sensitivity is an especially appealing scenario as it can provide direct information on the structure and the correlations of such systems. For a precise characterization a high spatial resolution is mandatory. In particular, the perspective to study quantum gases in optical lattices makes a resolution well below one micrometer highly desirable. Here, we report on a novel microscopy technique which is based on scanning electron microscopy and allows for the detection of single atoms inside a quantum gas with a spatial resolution of better than 150 nm. Imaging a Bose-Einstein condensate in a one-dimensional optical lattice with 600 nm period we demonstrate single site addressability in a sub-um optical lattice. The technique offers exciting possibilities for the preparation, manipulation and analysis of quantum gases.