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arXiv · 0801.3255

A simple integrated single-atom detector

Marco Wilzbach·Dennis Heine·Sönke Groth·Xiyuan Liu·Thomas Raub·Björn Hessmo·Jörg Schmiedmayer
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Abstract

We present a reliable and robust integrated fluorescence detector capable of detecting single atoms. The detector consists of a tapered lensed single-mode fiber for precise delivery of excitation light and a multimode fiber to collect the fluorescence. Both are mounted in lithographically defined SU-8 holding structures on an atom chip. Rb87 atoms propagating freely in a magnetic guide are detected with an efficiency of up to 66%, and a signal-to-noise ratio in excess of 100 is obtained for short integration times.

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Marco Wilzbach, Dennis Heine, Sönke Groth, Xiyuan Liu, Thomas Raub, Björn Hessmo, Jörg Schmiedmayer. 2009-03-12. A simple integrated single-atom detector. https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.34.000259

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