Cavity probe for real-time detection of atom dynamics in an optical lattice

Abstract

We propose and demonstrate real-time sub-wavelength cavity QED measurements of the spatial distribution of atoms in an optical lattice. Atoms initially confined in one "trap" standing wave of an optical cavity mode are probed with a second "probe" standing wave. With frequencies offset by one free spectral range, the nodes of the trap fall on the anti-nodes of the probe in the $\approx$10${}^4$ lattice sites around the center of the cavity. This lattice site independent atom-cavity coupling enables high sensitivity detection of atom dynamics even with atoms spread over many lattice sites. To demonstrate, we measure the temperature of 20-70 $\mu$K atom ensembles in $<$10 $\mu$s by monitoring their expansion of $\approx$100 nm after sudden release from the trap lattice. Atom-cavity coupling imprints the atom dynamics on the probe transmission. The new technique will enable improved non-destructive detection of Bloch oscillations and other atom dynamics in optical lattices.

arXiv comment6+2 pages, 4 figures

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• Control and amplification of Bloch oscillations via photon-mediated interactions
• Polarization purity for active stabilization of diode laser injection lock