arXiv subjects

S. Aubin

Publications and source records attributed to S. Aubin.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Isotope Shifts in the 7s$\rightarrow$8s Transition of Francium: Measurements and Comparison to \textit{ab initio} Theory

We observe the electric-dipole forbidden $7s\rightarrow8s$ transition in the francium isotopes $^{208-211}$Fr and $^{213}$Fr using a two-photon excitation scheme. We collect the atoms online from an accelerator and confine them in a magneto optical trap for the measurements. In combination with previous measurements of the $7s\rightarrow7p_{1/2}$ transition we perform a King Plot analysis. We compare the thus determined ratio of the field shift constants (1.230 $\pm$ 0.019) to results obtained from new ab initio calculations (1.234 $\pm$ 0.010) and find excellent agreement.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Hyperfine anomalies in Fr: boundaries of the spherical single particle model

We have measured the hyperfine splitting of the $7P_{1/2}$ state at the 100 ppm level in Fr isotopes ($^{206g,206m, 207, 209, 213, 221}$Fr) near the closed neutron shell ($N$ = 126 in $^{213}$Fr). The measurements in five isotopes and a nuclear isomeric state of francium, combined with previous determinations of the $7S_{1/2}$ splittings, reveal the spatial distribution of the nuclear magnetization, i.e. the Bohr-Weisskopf effect. We compare our results with a simple shell model consisting of unpaired single valence nucleons orbiting a spherical nucleus, and find good agreement over a range of neutron-deficient isotopes ($^{207-213}$Fr). Also, we find near-constant proton anomalies for several even-$ N$ isotopes. This identifies a set of Fr isotopes whose nuclear structure can be understood well enough for the extraction of weak interaction parameters from parity non-conservation studies.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2014

Offline trapping of $^{221}$Fr in a magneto-optical trap from implantation of an $^{225}$Ac ion beam

We demonstrate a new technique to prepare an offline source of francium for trapping in a magneto-optical trap. Implanting a radioactive beam of $^{225}$Ac, $t_{1/2} = 9.920(3)$ days, in a foil, allows use of the decay products, i.e.$^{221}$Fr, $t_{1/2} = 288.0(4)$ s. $^{221}$Fr is ejected from the foil by the $α$ decay of $^{225}$Ac. This technique is compatible with the online accumulation of a laser-cooled atomic francium sample for a series of planned parity non-conservation measurements at TRIUMF. We obtain a 34% release efficiency for $^{221}$Fr from the recoil source based on particle detector measurements. We find that laser cooling operation with the source is $8^{+10}_{-5}$ times less efficient than from a mass-separated ion beam of $^{221}$Fr in the current geometry. While the flux of this source is two to three orders of magnitude lower than typical francium beams from ISOL facilities, the source provides a longer-term supply of francium for offline studies.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Commissioning of the Francium Trapping Facility at TRIUMF

We report on the successful commissioning of the Francium Trapping Facility at TRIUMF. Large laser-cooled samples of francium are produced from a francium ion beam delivered by the ISAC radioactive ion beam facility. The ion beam is neutralized on an yttrium foil, which is subsequently heated to transfer the atoms into the magneto-optical trapping region. We have successfully trapped $^{207}$Fr, $^{209}$Fr and $^{221}$Fr, with a maximum of $2.5 \times 10^5$ $^{209}$Fr atoms. The neutral cold atoms will be used in studies of the weak interaction through measurements of atomic parity non-conservation.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2007

Measurement method for the nuclear anapole moment of laser trapped alkali atoms

Weak interactions within a nucleus generate a nuclear spin dependent parity violating electromagnetic moment; the anapole moment. In heavy nuclei, the anapole moment is the dominant contribution to spin-dependent atomic parity violation. We analyze a method to measure the nuclear anapole moment through the electric dipole transition it induces between hyperfine states of the ground level. The method requires tight confinement of the atoms to position them at the anti-node of a standing wave driving the anapole-induced E1 transiton. We explore the necessary limits in the number of atoms, excitation fields, trap type, interrogation method, and systematic tests necessary for such measurements in francium, the heaviest alkali.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2006

Dual-species quantum degeneracy of potassium-40 and rubidium-87 on an atom chip

In this article we review our recent experiments with a 40K-87Rb mixture. We demonstrate rapid sympathetic cooling of a 40K-87Rb mixture to dual quantum degeneracy on an atom chip. We also provide details on efficient BEC production, species-selective magnetic confinement, and progress toward integration of an optical lattice with an atom chip. The efficiency of our evaporation allows us to reach dual degeneracy after just 6 s of evaporation - more rapidly than in conventional magnetic traps. When optimizing evaporative cooling for efficient evaporation of 87Rb alone we achieve BEC after just 4 s of evaporation and an 8 s total cycle time.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2006

Rapid sympathetic cooling to Fermi degeneracy on a chip

Neutral fermions present new opportunities for testing many-body condensed matter systems, realizing precision atom interferometry, producing ultra-cold molecules, and investigating fundamental forces. However, since their first observation, quantum degenerate Fermi gases (DFGs) have continued to be challenging to produce, and have been realized in only a handful of laboratories. In this Letter, we report the production of a DFG using a simple apparatus based on a microfabricated magnetic trap. Similar approaches applied to Bose-Einstein Condensation (BEC) of 87Rb have accelerated evaporative cooling and eliminated the need for multiple vacuum chambers. We demonstrate sympathetic cooling for the first time in a microtrap, and cool 40K to Fermi degeneracy in just six seconds -- faster than has been possible in conventional magnetic traps. To understand our sympathetic cooling trajectory, we measure the temperature dependence of the 40K-87Rb cross-section and observe its Ramsauer-Townsend reduction.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2005

Trapping Fermionic $^{40}$K and Bosonic $^{87}$Rb on a Chip

We demonstrate the loading of a Bose-Fermi mixture into a microfabricated magnetic trap. In a single-chamber vacuum system, laser-cooled atoms are transported to the surface of a substrate on which gold wires have been microfabricated. The magnetic field minimum formed near these current-carrying wires is used to confine up to $6\times10^4$ neutral $^{40}$K atoms. In addition, we can simultaneously load $2 \times 10^5$ $^{87}$Rb atoms, demonstrating the confinement of two distinct elements with such a trap. In a sequence optimized for $^{87}$Rb alone, we observe up to $1 \times 10^7$ trapped atoms. We describe in detail the experimental apparatus, and discuss prospects for evaporative cooling towards quantum degeneracy in both species.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2004

Lifetime and hyperfine splitting measurements on the 7s and 6p levels in rubidium

We present lifetime measurements of the 7S1/2 level and the 6p manifold of rubidium. We use a timecorrelated single-photon counting technique on a sample of 85Rb atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optic trap. The upper state of the 5P1/2 repumping transition serves as the resonant intermediate level for twophoton excitation of the 7s level. A probe laser provides the second step of the excitation, and we detect the decay of atomic fluorescence to the 5P3/2 level at 741 nm. The decay process feeds the 6p manifold that decays to the 5s ground state emitting UV photons. We measure lifetimes of 88.07 +- 0.40 and 120.7 +- 1.2 ns for the 7S1/2 level and 6p manifold, respectively; the hyperfine splitting of the 7S1/2 level is 282.6 +- 1.6 MHz. The agreement with theoretical calculations confirms the understanding of the wave functions involved and provides confidence on the possibility of extracting weak interaction constants from a parity nonconservation measurement.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2001

A single hollow beam optical trap for cold atoms

We present an optical trap for atoms that we have developed for precision spectroscopy measurements. Cold atoms are captured in a dark region of space inside a blue-detuned hollow laser beam formed by an axicon. We analyze the light potential in a ray optics picture and experimentally demonstrate trapping of laser-cooled metastable xenon atoms.

physics.atom-ph↗