arXiv subjects

Zhi-Ping Zhong

Publications and source records attributed to Zhi-Ping Zhong.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Generation of cold polyatomic cations by cascade reactive two-body ion-atom collisions

Polyatomic cations $^{87}$Rb$_M^+$ ($M$ = 2, 3,$\ldots$) have been produced by cascade two-body ion-atom reactive collisions in the two-step CW-laser photoionization of laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb atoms and accumulated in the ion trap. Using resonant-excitation mass spectrometry and resonant excitation-assisted time-of-flight mass spectrometry, we directly observed and distinguished the charged reaction products. We experimentally verified the cascade generation and cascade dissociation of $^{87}$Rb$_M^+$. The populations of $^{87}$Rb$_M^+$ are quantitatively investigated by solving the rate equations. The $^{87}$Rb$^+$-$^{87}$Rb reaction rate coefficient was derived as 9.10$\times10^{-11}$ cm$^3$/s accordingly. The methods developed here for assembling and detecting homonuclear polyatomic cations can be applied to any experiment in ion-atom hybrid traps. The present study lays the foundation for exploring atomically precise metal clusters and physics from few- to many-body perspective.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Evolution of the number and temperature of the remaining cold atoms in CW-laser photoionization of laser-cooled $^{87}$Rb atoms

Based on the Rb$^+$-Rb hybrid trap, we investigate the effect of ion-atom elastic collisions on the number and temperature of the remaining atoms. We measured the remaining atomic number and temperature as a function of the wavelength and intensity of the ionization laser, and whether the ion trap was turned on. Fittings with a single exponential decay function plus an offset to the number and radius of the remaining atoms are found to be in good agreement. We found a difference in the exponential factor of different wavelengths of ionization laser with the ion trap on or off. We suppose that the presence of electrons affects ion-atom collisions through disorder-induced heating. Our research contributes to a better understanding of how ultracold neutral plasma evolves, particularly the subsequent kinetics of atomic processes, which also serves as a useful reference for high-energy-density plasma.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2009

Observation of prolonged coherence time of the collective spin wave of atomic ensemble in a paraffin coated Rb vapor cell

We report a prolonged coherence time of the collective spin wave of a thermal 87Rb atomic ensemble in a paraffin coated cell. The spin wave is prepared through a stimulated Raman Process. The long coherence time time is achieved by prolonging the lifetime of the spins with paraffin coating and minimize dephasing with optimal experimental configuration. The observation of the long time delayed-stimulated Stokes signal in the writing process suggests the prolonged lifetime of the prepared spins; a direct measurement of the decay of anti-Stokes signal in the reading process shows the coherence time is up to 300 us after minimizing dephasing. This is one hundred times longer than the reported coherence time in the similar experiments in thermal atomic ensembles based on the Duan-Lukin-Cirac-Zoller (DLCZ) and its improved protocols. This prolonged coherence time sets the upper limit of the memory time in quantum repeaters based on such protocols, which is crucial for the realization of long-distance quantum communication. The previous reported fluorescence background in the writing process due to collision in a sample cell with buffer gas is also reduced in a cell without buffer gas.

quant-ph↗