The Atom-Cavity Microscope: Single Atoms Bound in Orbit by Single Photons
C. J. Hood,
1
T. W. Lynn,
1
A. C. Doherty,
2
A. S. Parkins,
2
H. J. Kimble
1*
The motion of individual cesium atoms trapped inside an optical
resonator is revealed with the atom-cavity microscope (ACM). A single
atom moving within the resonator generates large variations in the
transmission of a weak probe laser, which are recorded in real time. An
inversion algorithm then allows individual atom trajectories to be
reconstructed from the record of cavity transmission and reveals single
atoms bound in orbit by the mechanical forces associated with single
photons. In these initial experiments, the ACM yields 2-micrometer
spatial resolution in a 10-microsecond time interval. Over the duration
of the observation, the sensitivity is near the standard quantum limit
for sensing the motion of a cesium atom.
1 Norman Bridge Laboratory of Physics 12-33, California
Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
2 Physics
Department, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland,
New Zealand.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
hjkimble{at}cco.caltech.edu
