arXiv subjects

Mariusz Semczuk

Publications and source records attributed to Mariusz Semczuk.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Simultaneous sub-Doppler laser cooling and optical trapping of bosonic $^{39}$K-$^{133}$Cs and $^{41}$K-$^{133}$Cs mixtures

We report simultaneous sub-Doppler cooling and optical dipole trapping of $^{39}$K-Cs and $^{41}$K-Cs mixtures. Both mixtures are cooled to temperatures $\sim10$ $\mathrmμ$K, achieving performance comparable to that obtained with each species individually. To the best of our knowledge, this constitutes the first realization of a laser-cooled and optically trapped $^{41}$K-Cs mixture. For the $^{39}$K-Cs mixture, we additionally implement parallel spin-resolved Feshbach spectroscopy enabled by Stern-Gerlach separation. For potassium isotopes, we implement sub-Doppler cooling with $D_1$-line gray molasses, while for cesium the entire cooling sequence is implemented using $D_2$ transitions. We spin-polarize the atoms and confine Bose-Bose mixtures in a 1064 nm optical dipole trap. Using the resulting $^{39}$K-Cs samples, we observe 14 heteronuclear Feshbach loss features. Five agree with resonances reported previously, while nine have, to the best of our knowledge, not been observed experimentally before, including $p$-wave features and resonances in additional spin channels. The shorter lifetime of the $^{41}$K-Cs mixture in the optical dipole trap currently hinders systematic Feshbach spectroscopy, which we therefore do not pursue in this work. To characterize this limitation quantitatively, we study the decay dynamics of $^{39}$K-Cs and $^{41}$K-Cs mixtures under comparable temperature and density conditions, revealing a substantially stronger nonexponential loss in the $^{41}$K-Cs mixture. The demonstrated preparation of ultracold $^{41}$K-Cs mixtures provides a starting point for Feshbach-resonance and photoassociation spectroscopy of this previously unexplored isotopologue. Such measurements are essential for identifying suitable pathways for magnetoassociation and coherent optical transfer, and ultimately for the production of ultracold ground-state $^{41}$KCs molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Sub-Doppler laser cooling and magnetic trapping of natural-abundance fermionic potassium

We report on reaching sub-Doppler temperatures of $^{40}$K in a single-chamber setup using a dispenser-based potassium source with natural (0.012$\%$ of $^{40}$K) isotopic composition. With gray molasses cooling on the $D_1$-line following a standard $D_2$-line magneto-optical trap, we obtain $3\times10^5$ atoms at $\sim$10~\textmu K. We reach densities high enough to measure the temperature via absorption imaging using the time-of-flight method. Directly after sub-Doppler cooling we pump atoms into the $F=7/2$ hyperfine ground state and transfer a mixture of $m_F=-3/2,-5/2$ and $-7/2$ Zeeman states into the magnetic trap. We trap $5\times10^4$ atoms with a lifetime of 0.6~s when the dispensers are heated up to maximize the atom number at a cost of deteriorated background gas pressure. When the dispensers have been off for a day and the magneto-optical trap loading rate has been increased by light induced atomic desorption we can magnetically trap $\sim$$10^3$ atoms with a lifetime of 2.8~s. The background pressure-limited lifetime of 0.6~s is a reasonable starting point for proof-of-principle experiments with atoms and/or molecules in optical tweezers as well as for sympathetic cooling with another species if transport to a secondary chamber is implemented. Our results show that unenriched potassium can be used to optimize experimental setups containing $^{40}$K in the initial stages of their construction, which can effectively extend the lifetime of enriched sources needed for proper experiments. Moreover, demonstration of sub-Doppler cooling and magnetic trapping of a relatively small number of potassium atoms might influence experiments with laser cooled radioactive isotopes of potassium.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Magnetic trapping of an ultracold $^{39}$K-$^{40}$K mixture with a versatile potassium laser system

We present a dual isotope magneto-optical trap (MOT), simultaneous sub-Doppler laser cooling, and magnetic trapping of a spin-polarized $^{39}$K-$^{40}$K Bose-Fermi mixture realized in a single-chamber setup with an unenriched potassium dispenser as the source of atoms. We are able to magnetically confine more than $2.2\times10^5$ fermions ($F=9/2\,m_F=9/2$) and $1.4\times10^7$ bosons ($F=2\,m_F=2$) with a lifetime exceeding 1.2 s. For this work, we have developed a versatile laser tailored for sub-Doppler cooling of all naturally occurring potassium isotopes and their mixtures. This laser system incorporates innovative features, such as the capability to select an isotope by activating or deactivating specific acousto-optic modulators that control the light seeding tapered amplifiers. Switching between isotopes takes $\sim$1 $\mathrmμ$s without any mechanical adjustment of the components. As a final step in characterizing the laser system, we demonstrate sub-Doppler cooling of $^{41}$K.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Open-Source Magnetometer for Characterizing Magnetic Fields in Ultracold Experiments

We demonstrate a fully automated open-source magnetometer designed primarily for characterization of magnetic fields produced by coils, permanent magnets or by parasitic sources. It is based on an Arduino Mega microcontroller and a three-axis Hall sensor with a measurement range of +/-8 G per axis and the RMS of the field readout below 0.3 mG. For all practical purposes, the sensor displacement during data acquisition is virtually unlimited, which can be particularly useful for characterizing large or extended coils like Helmholtz cages or Zeeman slowers. All components needed for the construction are cheap and widely available off-the-shelf elements or are 3D-printed. The operation of the magnetometer is controlled via a graphical user interface (GUI), which manages all essential functionalities, like data acquisition and plotting. The GUI also incorporates additional features, like data averaging, calibration of the displacement of the Hall sensor or real-time readout of the magnetic field, useful for monitoring magnetic field changes. We have used a pair of rectangular coils constructed for a potassium--cesium 2D magneto-optical trap to benchmark the performance of the magnetometer. We have obtained good agreement with both simulations and measurements acquired with a commercial gaussmeter.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

Bidirectional, Analog Current Source Benchmarked with Gray Molasses-Assisted Stray Magnetic Field Compensation

In ultracold-atom and ion experiments, flexible control of the direction and amplitude of a uniform magnetic field is necessary. It is achieved almost exclusively by controlling the current flowing through coils surrounding the experimental chamber. Here, we present the design and characterization of a modular, analog electronic circuit that enables three-dimensional control of a magnetic field via the amplitude and direction of a current flowing through three perpendicular pairs of coils. Each pair is controlled by one module, and we are able to continuously change the current flowing thorough the coils in the $\pm$4 A range using analog waveforms such that smooth crossing through zero as the current's direction changes is possible. With the electrical current stability at the 10$^{-5}$ level, the designed circuit enables state-of-the-art ultracold experiments. As a benchmark, we use the circuit to compensate stray magnetic fields that hinder efficient sub-Doppler cooling of alkali atoms in gray molasses. We demonstrate how such compensation can be achieved without actually measuring the stray fields present, thus speeding up the process of optimization of various laser cooling stages.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

An Adaptable Dual Species Effusive Source and Zeeman Slower Design Demonstrated with Rb and Li

We present a dual-species effusive source and Zeeman slower designed to produce slow atomic beams of two elements with a large mass difference and with very different oven temperature requirements. We demonstrate this design for the case of $^6$Li and $^{85}$Rb and achieve MOT loading rates equivalent to that reported in prior work on dual species (Rb+Li) Zeeman slowers operating at the same oven temperatures. Key design choices, including thermally separating the effusive sources and using a segmented coil design to enable computer control of the magnetic field profile, ensure that the apparatus can be easily modified to slow other atomic species. By performing the final slowing using the quadruple magnetic field of the MOT, we are able to shorten our Zeeman slower length making for a more compact system without compromising performance. We outline the construction and analyze the emission properties of our effusive sources. We also verify the performance of the source and slower, and we observe sequential loading rates of $8 \times 10^8$ atoms/s for a Rb oven temperature of $120\,^{\circ}$C and $1.5 \times 10^8$ atoms/s for a Li reservoir at $450\,^{\circ}$C, corresponding to reservoir lifetimes for continuous operation of 10 and 4 years respectively.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

A method for independent and continuous tuning of $N$ lasers phase-locked to the same frequency comb

We present a method of phase-locking any number of continuous-wave lasers to an optical frequency comb (OFC) that enables independent frequency positioning and control of each laser while still maintaining lock to the OFC. The scheme employs an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) in a double pass configuration added to each laser before its light is compared by optical heterodyne with the comb. The only requirement is that the tuning bandwidth of the double pass AOM setup be larger than half the OFC repetition rate. We demonstrate this scheme and achieve an arbitrary frequency tuning precision, a tuning rate of 200~MHz/s and a readout precision at the 1~kHz level.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Transparent Electrodes for High E-Field Production Using A Buried ITO Layer

We present a design and characterization of optically transparent electrodes suitable for atomic and molecular physics experiments where high optical access is required. The electrodes can be operated in air at standard atmospheric pressure and do not suffer electrical breakdown even for electric fields far exceeding the dielectric breakdown of air. This is achieved by putting an ITO coated dielectric substrate inside a stack of dielectric substrates, which prevents ion avalanche resulting from Townsend discharge. With this design, we observe no arcing for fields of up to 120 kV/cm. Using these plates, we directly verify the production of electric fields up to 18~kV/cm inside a quartz vacuum cell by a spectroscopic measurement of the dc Stark shift of the $5^2S_{1/2} \rightarrow 5^2P_{3/2}$ transition for a cloud of laser cooled Rubidium atoms. We also report on the shielding of the electric field and residual electric fields that persist within the vacuum cell once the electrodes are discharged. In addition, we discuss observed atom loss that results from the motion of free charges within the vacuum. The observed asymmetry of these phenomena on the bias of the electrodes suggests that field emission of electrons within the vacuum is primarily responsible for these effects and may indicate a way of mitigating them.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Anomalous Behavior of Dark States in Quantum Gases of 6Li

We create atom-molecule dark states in a degenerate Fermi gas of 6Li in both weakly and strongly interacting regimes using two-photon Raman scattering to couple fermion pairs to bound molecular states in the ground singlet and triplet potential. Near the unitarity point in the BEC-BCS crossover regime, the atom number revival height associated with the dark state abruptly and unexpectedly decreases and remains low for magnetic fields below the Feshbach resonance center at 832.2~G. With a weakly interacting Fermi gas at 0~G we perform precision dark-state spectroscopy of the least-bound vibrational levels of the lowest singlet and triplet potentials. From these spectra, we obtain binding energies of the $v''=9$, $N''=0$ level of the $a(1^3Σ_{u}^+)$ potential and the $v''=38$, $N''=0$ level of the $X(1^1Σ_{g}^+)$ potential with absolute uncertainty as low as $20$ kHz. For the triplet potential we resolve the molecular hyperfine structure.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2013

High resolution photoassociation spectroscopy of the $^{6}$Li$_2$ $1^{3}Σ_{g}^{+}$ state

We present experimental observations of seven vibrational levels $v'=20-26$ of the $1^{3}Σ_{g}^{+}$ excited state of Li$_2$ molecules by the photoassociation (PA) of a degenerate Fermi gas of $^6$Li atoms. For each vibrational level, we resolve the rotational structure using a Feshbach resonance to enhance the PA rates from p-wave collisions. We also, for the first time, determine the spin-spin and spin-rotation interaction constants for this state. The absolute uncertainty of our measurements is $\pm 0.00002$ cm$^{-1}$ ($\pm 600$ kHz). We use these new data to further refine an analytic potential for this state.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2013

High resolution photoassociation spectroscopy of the $^{6}$Li$_2$ $A(1^1Σ_u^+)$ state

We present spectroscopic measurements of seven vibrational levels $v=29-35$ of the $A(1^1Σ_u^+)$ excited state of Li$_2$ molecules by the photoassociation of a degenerate Fermi gas of $^6$Li atoms. The absolute uncertainty of our measurements is $\pm 0.00002$ cm$^{-1}$ ($\pm 600$ kHz) and we use these new data to further refine an analytic potential for this state. This work provides high accuracy photo-association resonance locations essential for the eventual high resolution mapping of the $X(1^1Σ_g^+)$ state enabling further improvements to the s-wave scattering length determination of Li and enabling the eventual creation of ultra-cold ground state $^6$Li$_2$ molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2013

Realization of BEC-BCS crossover physics in a compact oven-loaded magneto-optic trap apparatus

We report on a simple oven-loaded magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus for the creation of both molecular Bose-Einstein condensates (mBEC) and degenerate Fermi gases (DFGs) of lithium. The apparatus does not require a Zeeman slower or a 2D MOT nor does it require any separation or differential pumping between the effusive atom source and the science chamber. The result is an exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and compact vacuum system ideal for miniaturization. We discuss our work in the context of other realizations of quantum degenerate gases by evaporation in optical dipole traps and illustrate that our apparatus meets the key requirements of atom number and trap lifetime. We also demonstrate with this system the production of a mBEC, and we use it to observe the pairing gap of a strongly interacting two-component DFG in the BEC-BCS crossover regime.

physics.atom-ph↗