Boston Chapter of the IEEE Photonics Society

Laser Control of Individual Atoms Workshop

Wednesday, October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 2011, 7:00-9:30 PM
Located at MIT Lincoln Laboratory - 244 Wood Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, USA

Precision measurement applications employing the laser control of individual atoms, molecules, and charged particles were novel technologies found only in cutting edge research laboratories of the pure science community just a few years ago, used for measuring fundamental constants, performing quantum metrology, and studying ultra-cold atoms. But these maturing ultra-precision sensor and material manipulation technologies are moving out of the laboratory and appearing in applications including gravitational wave detection, science missions for testing Einsteinian relativity theories, improved deep-space telecommunications and navigation, planetary magnetic field mapping, and earth-bound geophysics mapping, as well as in various implementations of quantum computing. The rapid growth of these innovative individual atom manipulation and control techniques in many areas of science and engineering motivates practicing professionals to become knowledgeable about a whole new generation of sensing technologies. Some of these applications include rotation sensors, accelerometers, inertial navigation, quantum memory and communications, gravity mapping/oil exploration, magnetic field sensors, clocks/frequency standards, atom nano-lithography, micro-machining, and optical tweezers/DNA manipulation, as well as desk-top laser particle accelerators. The growth of this field is fueled by two major drivers: the increasing availability of narrow line-width, frequency stabilized, high power, frequency combs, and other specialized lasers at an affordable cost; and the increasing availability of individual atomic sources and traps from commercial entities. It is the aim of this workshop to explore and introduce the different aspects of laser control of individual atoms to the attendees, as well as to foster communication and collaboration on this topic among the many individual practicing engineers and researchers of different technical backgrounds attending. Register for this local workshop to discover the latest advancements at the cutting edge of this high-precision sensor technology from ten of the foremost researchers in this emerging field.

For more information on the technical content of the workshop, contact either:
1) Farhad Hakimi (fhakimi@ieee.org), Workshop Committee Chair
2) William Nelson (w.nelson@ieee.org), Workshop Committee Co-Chair
3) Robert Stephenson (Robert.Stephenson@ieee.org), Boston Photonics Society Chair