A C0(_2) laser lattice experiment for cold atoms

Abstract

This thesis presents work on a laser cooling experiment designed for trapping Rb atoms in a CO(_2) laser optical trap. Some emphasis is placed on experimental features designed to allow the future implementation of a neutral atom quantum computation scheme. The experiment was built from scratch and includes the development of stable and reliable lasers for laser cooling and the construction of a double-chamber ultra-high vacuum system. The construction of a magneto-optical trap and optical molasses are discussed and results presented. The search for a signature of atoms trapped in the CO(_2) laser optical trap is described but so far no such signature has been observed. Possible reasons for this difficulty are presented Numerical modeling of the optical potential expected from the CO(_2) laser lattice has been performed and the expected experimental parameters of trap depth and oscillation frequency deduced from them.