Laboratory Courses on Laser Spectroscopy and Atom Trapping

Hermina C. Beica; Shoshana Winter; Carson Mok; Brynle Barrett; Rob Berthiaume; Andrejs Vorozcovs; Fadi Yachoua; Nima Afkhami-Jeddi; Monika Aggarwal; Gehrig Carlse; Alex Pouliot; Kevin B. Borsos; Thomas Vacheresse; Raanan Marants; A. Kumarakrishnan

doi:10.3390/atoms8020025

Atoms (May 2020)

Laboratory Courses on Laser Spectroscopy and Atom Trapping

Hermina C. Beica,
Shoshana Winter,
Carson Mok,
Brynle Barrett,
Rob Berthiaume,
Andrejs Vorozcovs,
Fadi Yachoua,
Nima Afkhami-Jeddi,
Monika Aggarwal,
Gehrig Carlse,
Alex Pouliot,
Kevin B. Borsos,
Thomas Vacheresse,
Raanan Marants,
A. Kumarakrishnan

Affiliations

Hermina C. Beica: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Shoshana Winter: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Carson Mok: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Brynle Barrett: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Rob Berthiaume: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Andrejs Vorozcovs: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Fadi Yachoua: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Nima Afkhami-Jeddi: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Monika Aggarwal: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Gehrig Carlse: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Alex Pouliot: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Kevin B. Borsos: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Thomas Vacheresse: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Raanan Marants: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
A. Kumarakrishnan: Department of Physics & Astronomy, York University, 4700 Keele St. Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms8020025
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8, no. 2
p. 25

Abstract

Read online

We present an overview of experiments covered in two semester-length laboratory courses dedicated to laser spectroscopy and atom trapping. These courses constitute a powerful approach for teaching experimental physics in a manner that is both contemporary and capable of providing the background and skills relevant to a variety of research laboratories. The courses are designed to be accessible for all undergraduate streams in physics and applied physics as well as incoming graduate students. In the introductory course, students carry out several experiments in atomic and laser physics. In a follow up course, students trap atoms in a magneto-optical trap and carry out preliminary investigations of the properties of laser cooled atoms based on the expertise acquired in the first course. We discuss details of experiments, impact, possible course formats, budgetary requirements, and challenges related to long-term maintenance.

Published in Atoms

ISSN: 2218-2004 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Physics: Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/atoms

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords