arXiv subjects

Dylan J. Brown

Publications and source records attributed to Dylan J. Brown.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Surface charges in a Rydberg atom-nanowaveguide hybrid quantum system

Hybrid quantum platforms based on highly excited Rydberg atoms coupled to nanophotonics devices offer a promising route toward scalable quantum networks and integrated quantum technologies. However, the close proximity of Rydberg atoms to dielectric nanostructures makes these systems particularly susceptible to uncontrolled surface electric fields that can lead to a degradation of the excitation process. Here, we experimentally investigate Rydberg excitation of laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb atoms via the evanescent field of an optical nanofiber in the presence of fiber-guided red- and blue-detuned light fields as used to trap ground state atoms in fiber-based dipole traps. We observe a time evolution of the Rydberg excitation spectrum when both the dipole trapping fields are on and the additional spectral features that appear can be suppressed by applying an external oscillating electric field to the system, strongly indicating that surface charge accumulation is responsible for the observed spectral feature. The experimental results are reproduced qualitatively by a model that incorporates DC energy level shifts arising from electric fields generated by charges deposited on the nanofiber surface. We identify Rydberg-ground state collisional ionization, which is enhanced by the dipole trapping fields, as the dominant mechanism for charge generation. These results provide new insight into charge dynamics at dielectric nanophotonic interfaces and establish practical guidelines for mitigating surface charge-induced electric fields in fiber-integrated Rydberg quantum systems.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2026

Light-induced, fictitious magnetic trapping of cold alkali atoms using an optical tweezers-nanofiber hybrid platform

We present a magnetic trapping scheme for cold 87Rb atoms based on light-induced fictitious magnetic fields generated by the evanescent field of an optical nanofiber (ONF) integrated with an optical tweezers. We calculate and compare the trapping potentials for both Gaussian and Laguerre-Gaussian modes of the tweezers beam, combined with a quasi-linearly polarized ONF-guided field. Based on the optical powers in the tweezers and ONF modes, we analyze the trap depths and the positions of the potential minima from the nanofiber surface. We show that, by varying the optical powers in the two fields, the trap position can be tuned over several hundred nanometers, while simultaneously influencing the trap depth and trap frequencies. Such control over atom-surface position is essential for studying distance-dependent effects on atoms trapped near a dielectric surface and optimizing atom-photon interfaces for quantum technology applications.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Towards a fictitious magnetic field trap for both ground and Rydberg state $^{87}$Rb atoms via the evanescent field of an optical nanofibre

Cold Rydberg atoms, known for their long lifetimes and strong dipole-dipole interactions that lead to the Rydberg blockade phenomenon, are among the most promising platforms for quantum simulations, quantum computation and quantum networks. However, a major limitation to the performance of Rydberg atom-based platforms is dephasing, which can be caused by atomic motion within the trap. Here, we propose a trap for $^{87}$Rb cold atoms that confines both the electronic ground state and a Rydberg state, engineered to minimize the differential light shifts between the two states. This is achieved by combining a fictitious magnetic field induced by optical nanofibre guided light and an external bias magnetic field. We calculate trap potentials for the cases of one- and two-guided modes with quasi-linear and quasi-circular polarisations, and calculate trap depths and trap frequencies for different values of laser power and bias fields. Moreover, we discuss the impact of the quadrupole polarisability of the Rydberg atoms on the trap potential and demonstrate how the size of a Rydberg atom influences the ponderomotive potential generated by the nanofibre-guided light field. This work expands on the idea of light-induced fictitious magnetic field traps and presents a practical approach for creating quantum networks using Rydberg atoms integrated with optical nanofibres to generate 1D atom arrays.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency based laser lock to Zeeman sublevels with 0.6 GHz scanning range

We propose a technique for frequency locking a laser to the Zeeman sublevel transitions between the 5P$_{3/2}$ intermediate and 32D$_{5/2}$ Rydberg states in $^{87}$Rb. This method allows for continuous frequency tuning over 0.6 GHz by varying an applied external magnetic field. In the presence of the applied field, the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) spectrum of an atomic vapor splits via the Zeeman effect according to the strength of the magnetic field and the polarization of the pump and probe lasers. We show that the 480 nm pump laser, responsible for transitions between the Zeeman sublevels of the intermediate state and the Rydberg state, can be locked to the Zeeman-split EIT peaks. The short-term frequency stability of the laser lock is 0.15 MHz and the long-term stability is within 0.5 MHz. The linewidth of the laser lock is ~0.8 MHz and ~1.8 MHz in the presence and in the absence of the external magnetic field, respectively. In addition, we show that in the absence of an applied magnetic field and adequate shielding, the frequency shift of the lock point has a peak-to-peak variation of 1.6 MHz depending on the polarization of the pump field, while when locked to Zeeman sublevels this variation is reduced to 0.6 MHz. The proposed technique is useful for research involving Rydberg atoms, where large continuous tuning of the laser frequency with stable locking is required.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Excitation of $^{87}$Rb Rydberg atoms to nS and nD states (n$\leq$68) via an optical nanofiber

Cold Rydberg atoms are a promising platform for quantum technologies and combining them with optical waveguides has the potential to create robust quantum information devices. Here, we experimentally observe the excitation of cold rubidium atoms to a large range of Rydberg S and D states through interaction with the evanescent field of an optical nanofiber. We develop a theoretical model to account for experimental phenomena present such as the AC Stark shifts and the Casimir-Polder interaction. This work strengthens the knowledge of Rydberg atom interactions with optical nanofibers and is a critical step toward the implementation of all-fiber quantum networks and waveguide QED systems using highly excited atoms.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

Anderson localisation in two dimensions: insights from Localisation Landscape Theory, exact diagonalisation, and time-dependent simulations

Motivated by experimental progress in cold atomic systems, we use and advance Localisation Landscape Theory (LLT), to examine two-dimensional systems with point-like random scatterers. We begin by showing that exact eigenstates cannot be efficiently used to extract the localisation length. We then provide a comprehensive review of known LLT, and confirm that the Hamiltonian with the effective potential of LLT has very similar low energy eigenstates to that with the physical potential. Next, we use LLT to compute the localisation length for very low-energy, maximally localised eigenstates and test our method against exact diagonalisation. Furthermore, we propose a transmission experiment that optimally detects Anderson localisation, and demonstrate how one may extract a length scale which is correlated with (and in general smaller than) the localisation length. In addition, we study the dimensional crossover from one to two dimensions, providing a new explanation to the established trends. The prediction of a mobility edge coming from LLT is tested by direct Schrödinger time evolution and is found to be unphysical. Moreover, we investigate expanding wavepackets, to find that these can be useful in detecting and quantifying Anderson localisation in a transmission experiment, with the only disadvantage being the inability to resolve the energy dependence of the localisation length. Then, we utilise LLT to uncover a connection between the Anderson model for discrete disordered lattices and continuous two-dimensional disordered systems, which provides powerful new insights. From here, we demonstrate that localisation can be distinguished from other effects by a comparison to dynamics in an ordered potential with all other properties unchanged. Finally, we thoroughly investigate the effect of acceleration and repulsive interparticle interactions, as relevant for current experiments.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2021

Computing the eigenstate localisation length at very low energies from Localisation Landscape Theory

While Anderson localisation is largely well-understood, its description has traditionally been rather cumbersome. A recently-developed theory -- Localisation Landscape Theory (LLT) -- has unparalleled strengths and advantages, both computational and conceptual, over alternative methods. To begin with, we demonstrate that the localisation length cannot be conveniently computed starting directly from the exact eigenstates, thus motivating the need for the LLT approach. Then, we confirm that the Hamiltonian with the effective potential of LLT has very similar low energy eigenstates to that with the physical potential, justifying the crucial role the effective potential plays in our new method. We proceed to use LLT to calculate the localisation length for very low-energy, maximally localised eigenstates, as defined by the length-scale of exponential decay of the eigenstates, (manually) testing our findings against exact diagonalisation. We then describe several mechanisms by which the eigenstates spread out at higher energies where the tunnelling-in-the-effective-potential picture breaks down, and explicitly demonstrate that our method is no longer applicable in this regime. We place our computational scheme in context by explaining the connection to the more general problem of multidimensional tunnelling and discussing the approximations involved. Our method of calculating the localisation length can be applied to (nearly) arbitrary disordered, continuous potentials at very low energies.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2020

Observation of two-dimensional Anderson localisation of ultracold atoms

Anderson localisation -- the inhibition of wave propagation in disordered media -- is a surprising interference phenomenon which is particularly intriguing in two-dimensional (2D) systems. While an ideal, non-interacting 2D system of infinite size is always localised, the localisation length-scale may be too large to be unambiguously observed in an experiment. In this sense, 2D is a marginal dimension between one-dimension, where all states are strongly localised, and three-dimensions, where a well-defined phase transition between localisation and delocalisation exists as the energy is increased. Here we report the results of an experiment measuring the 2D transport of ultracold atoms between two reservoirs, which are connected by a channel containing pointlike disorder. The design overcomes many of the technical challenges that have hampered observation of localisation in previous works. We experimentally observe exponential localisation in a 2D ultracold atom system.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗