Controllable atomic collision in a tight optical dipole trap

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates control over atomic collision rates in a modified optical dipole trap, enabling better manipulation of few-atom systems for quantum optics and information processing.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental setup with a backward propagating beam to significantly alter atom collision rates and models the conditions for high few-atom loading probabilities.

Findings

Achieved a sixfold change in two-atom collision rate.

Predicted high probabilities of few-atom loading under specific conditions.

Provides an alternative method for controlling few-atom quantum dynamics.

Abstract

Single atoms are interesting candidates for studying quantum optics and quantum information processing. Recently, trapping and manipulation of single atoms using tight optical dipole traps have generated considerable interest. Here we report an experimental investigation of the dynamics of atoms in a modified optical dipole trap with a backward propagating dipole trap beam, where a change in the two-atom collision rate by six times has been achieved. The theoretical model presented gives a prediction of high probabilities of few-atom loading rates under proper experimental conditions. This work provides an alternative approach to the control of the few-atom dynamics in a dipole trap and the study of the collective quantum optical effects of a few atoms.