Progress towards Bloch Oscillations of Yb in an optical lattice to search for ultra-light dark matter
Abstract
We present the latest developments of an atomic sensor sensitive to oscillating forces. The device consists of ytterbium atoms loaded into an in-vacuum optical cavity. The atoms undergo Bloch oscillations in the lattice potential driven by an external force such as gravity. Cavity parameters were optimized for efficient atom-light coupling, such that the output light of the cavity is modulated at the Bloch frequency. New fields, such as ultra-light dark matter, can create oscillating forces which would be detected through oscillations in the Bloch frequency. This technique allows for continuous measurements in a small volume over a long coherence time. We are currently developing a scheme to cool the Yb atoms into the ground state band of the lattice.
- Publication:
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APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019APS..DMPE01182S