Abstract
We report the localization of an ion by a one-dimensional optical lattice in the presence of an applied external force. The ion is confined radially by a radio frequency trap and axially by a combined electrostatic and optical-lattice potential. Using a resolved Raman sideband technique, one or several ions are cooled to a mean vibrational number along the optical lattice. We measure the average position of a periodically driven ion with a resolution down to , and demonstrate localization to a single lattice site for up to 10 ms. This opens new possibilities for studying many-body systems with long-range interactions in periodic potentials, as well as fundamental models of friction.
- Received 29 March 2013
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.163002
© 2013 American Physical Society
Viewpoint
Two Traps are Better than One
Published 16 October 2013
An atom trap consisting of both rapidly rotating electric fields and static laser fields keeps ions securely locked into place in a latticelike potential.
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