An atom in front of a surface is one of the simplest and fundamental problems in physics. Yet, it allows testing fluctuations associated with the quantum vacuum (Casimir-Polder force), while providing platforms for nanotechnologies and quantum technologies.
Despite its simplicity, combined with strong scientific and technological interests, atom-surface physics, at its fundamental level, remains largely unexplored mainly due to challenges associated with precise control of the atom-surface distance. In this context, our team Optic and atomic interferometry (Physique des Lasers) has built a slow atomic beam interacting with a nanograting. The nanograting is made by ourselves in order to control the geometries (atom-surface distance) as best as possible. The interaction between the atoms and the nanograting leads to a diffraction pattern which is dominated by the C.P force [1]. This configuration allows us to study precisely the C.P interaction, with an agreement between the theory and the experiment better than 10%.
To achieve an in-depth understanding of the C.P interaction, the aim of this internship is to increase the precision and the sensitivity of the measurements. To achieve this goal, one of the objectives is to characterize the atomic source and to install an optical dipole trap in order to increase the atomic flux. This trap will also reduce the atomic velocity and therefore will improve the sensitivity of the data. This internship has as well a theoretical aspect with a description of the interference figure (resolution of the Schrödinger equation). Besides, we have started developing deep learning network to accurately reconstruct the diffraction pattern. This method is well suited to extract parameters from high dimensional data. We aim, with these developments, to reach a precision below the percentage level.
This internship will be followed by a PhD thesis (starting in September 2023). The first objective of the thesis will be in continuity with the internship, i.e. developing tools and methods (experimentally and theoretically) to improve the C.P measurements. Such precisions will open new opportunities. In particular, the second objective will be focused on exploiting a light field in order to modify, tailor and engineer the C.P potential by altering the atomic properties close to the surface (coupling with excited state, superposition of states and adiabatic dressing).
[1] C. Garcion et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 170402 (2021).
Contact: Quentin Bouton
quentin.bouton@univ-paris13.fr
Intership place: Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers
99 av J-B Clément, 93430 Villetaneuse
Website: : www-lpl.univ-paris13.fr/UK/EQUIPE-OIA-PAGE-01.awp