×
 Physics at Virginia

"High-precision measurements of the Rb87 D-line tune-out wavelength"


Adam Fallon , UVA- Physics Department
[Host: Olivier Pfister]
ABSTRACT:

I will report a measurement of a light wavelength at which the ac electric polarizability equals zero for Rb87 atoms in the F=2 ground hyperfine state. The experiment uses a condensate interferometer to find this “tune-out” wavelength for the scalar polarizability, which lies at 790.032388(32) nm. This result can be used to determine the ratio of matrix elements R = 1.99221(3), a 100-fold improvement over previous experimental values. I will discuss techniques for accurate determination and control of light polarization as well as progress on measurements of the vector polarizability between the D1 and D2 spectral lines. Measurements of tune-out wavelengths and the vector polarizability between multiple lines allows separation of individual contributions to the polarizability from higher-lying states and the core up to ratios of matrix elements. Accurate knowledge of these ratios should serve useful as a theoretical benchmark and in atomic parity violation experiments.

SLIDESHOW:
Atomic Physics Seminar
Monday, March 28, 2016
3:30 PM
Physics Building, Room 204
Note special room.

 Slideshow (PDF)
 Add to your calendar

To add a speaker, send an email to phys-speakers@Virginia.EDU. Please include the seminar type (e.g. Atomic Physics Seminars), date, name of the speaker, title of talk, and an abstract (if available).