Accession Number:

AD1003431

Title:

Experimental Preparation and Measurement of Quantum States of Motion of a Trapped Atom

Descriptive Note:

Journal Article

Corporate Author:

National Institute of Standards and Technology Boulder United States

Personal Author(s):

• Leibfried,D.
• Meekhof,D. M.
• Monroe,C.
• King,B. E.
• Itano,W. M.
• Wineland,D. J.

Report Date:

1997-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

21.0

Abstract:

We report the creation and full determination of several quantum states of motion of a 9Be ion bound in a RF Paul trap. The states are coherently prepared from an ion which has been initially laser cooled to the zero-point of motion. We create states having both classical and non-classical character including thermal, number, coherent, squeezed, and Schrodinger cat states. The motional quantum state is fully reconstructed using two novel schemes that determine the density matrix in the number state basis or the Wigner function. Our techniques allow well controlled experiments decoherence and related phenomena on the quantum-classical borderline.

Descriptors:

• quantum theory
• atoms
• motion
• ground state
• energy levels
• quantum electrodynamics
• quantum optics

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE