High resolution adaptive imaging of a single atom

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates nanometer-resolution optical imaging of a single atom using adaptive optics to correct aberrations, achieving unprecedented position sensitivity and enabling advanced atomic motion and force measurements.

Contribution

It introduces an adaptive optical alignment technique for high-resolution imaging of single atoms, significantly improving position sensitivity and enabling new quantum measurement capabilities.

Findings

Achieved 0.5 nm/√Hz position sensitivity

Minimum uncertainty of 1.7 nm in atomic position

Enabled direct imaging of atomic motion

Abstract

We report the optical imaging of a single atom with nanometer resolution using an adaptive optical alignment technique that is applicable to general optical microscopy. By decomposing the image of a single laser-cooled atom, we identify and correct optical aberrations in the system and realize an atomic position sensitivity of $\approx$ 0.5 nm/$\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$ with a minimum uncertainty of 1.7 nm, allowing the direct imaging of atomic motion. This is the highest position sensitivity ever measured for an isolated atom, and opens up the possibility of performing out-of-focus 3D particle tracking, imaging of atoms in 3D optical lattices or sensing forces at the yoctonewton (10$^{-24}$ N) scale.