Inserting two atoms into a single optical micropotential

Abstract

We recently demonstrated that strings of trapped atoms inside a standing wave optical dipole trap can be rearranged using optical tweezers [Y. Miroshnychenko et al., Nature, in press (2006)]. This technique allows us to actively set the interatomic separations on the scale of the individual trapping potential wells. Here, we use such a distance-control operation to insert two atoms into the same potential well. The detected success rate of this manipulation is 16(+4/-3) %, in agreement with the predictions of a theoretical model based on our independently determined experimental parameters.

4 pages, 4 figures

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• Preparation of a Heteronuclear Two-atom System in the 3D Motional Ground State in an Optical Tweezer
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• Quantum simulation of the central spin model with a Rydberg atom and polar molecules in optical tweezers
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