| Summary: | By trapping a single atom in a Fabry-Perot cavity, we can realize strong coupling
between the atom and the electromagnetic field, which may in the future be utilized
to perform quantum gates in quantum computing. Previous experiments with
Cesium atoms at the Caltech Quantum Optics group achieved a trapping time of
3 seconds, and they led to a detailed study of the atom-photon interactions known as
the vacuum-Rabi splitting. It is believed that the trapping time is limited by collisions
with residual gas molecules inside the vacuum chamber. I report three designs
for the piezoelectric-controlled cavity mirror mount, bakeable to a temperature above
250 °C and hence more desirable for deployments in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). I also
present new procedures which I have helped to develop for cavity construction and
the characterization of cavities. In addition, I consider cavity birefringence, which
can present complications to our experiments because a birefringent cavity supports
two orthogonal, nondegenerate modes. I developed a simple model of cavity birefringence
and made our first attempt to actively induce birefringence by stressing the
cavity mirrors with piezoelectric materials, although we have not yet been able to
demonstrate control over cavity birefringence. Nonetheless, with expected improvements
in both mechanical stability of the cavity and base pressure of the system, it
is hoped that a longer trapping time of 30 seconds can be achieved and that the new
experiment with a single-sided cavity can lead to further studies of the dynamics of
atom-photon interactions.
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