Highly-efficient state-selective sub-microsecond photoionization detection of single atoms

TL;DR

This paper presents a rapid, highly efficient method for state-selective detection of single atoms using hyperfine-state photoionization and coincidence counting, achieving over 98% efficiency in under one microsecond.

Contribution

The authors introduce a novel detection scheme that combines hyperfine-state-selective photoionization with coincidence counting, enabling ultra-fast and highly efficient single-atom state analysis.

Findings

Detection efficiency exceeds 98%.

Detection time is less than 1 microsecond.

Method is suitable for quantum information and spectroscopy applications.

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate a detection scheme suitable for state analysis of single optically trapped atoms in less than 1 {\mu}s with an overall detection efficiency {\eta} exceeding 98%. The method is based on hyperfine-state-selective photoionization and subsequent registration of the correlated photoion-electron pairs by coincidence counting via two opposing channel electron multipliers. The scheme enables the calibration of absolute detection efficiencies and might be a key ingredient for future quantum information applications or precision spectroscopy of ultracold atoms.