Quantum gas microscopy for single atom and spin detection

TL;DR

Quantum gas microscopy enables single-atom and spin detection in ultracold gases, revolutionizing the control and measurement of lattice gases with high spatial resolution and new observable capabilities.

Contribution

This paper provides an overview of quantum gas microscopy techniques, highlighting recent advancements and key experiments that utilize this powerful detection method.

Findings

Realization of single-atom detection in two-dimensional gases

Enhanced control and measurement of lattice gases

Introduction of new observables enabled by microscopy

Abstract

A particular strength of ultracold quantum gases are the versatile detection methods available. Since they are based on atom-light interactions, the whole quantum optics toolbox can be used to tailor the detection process to the specific scientific question to be explored in the experiment. Common methods include time-of-flight measurements to access the momentum distribution of the gas, the use of cavities to monitor global properties of the quantum gas with minimal disturbance and phase-contrast or high-intensity absorption imaging to obtain local real space information in high-density settings. Even the ultimate limit of detecting each and every atom locally has been realized in two-dimensions using so-called quantum gas microscopes. In fact, these microscopes not only revolutionized the detection, but also the control of lattice gases. Here we provide a short overview of this technique, highlighting new observables as well as key experiments that have been enabled by quantum gas microscopy.