The Atom Trainers’ research covers a variety of topics in atomic physics, including laser cooling of atoms, quantum computation using ultracold atoms, the physics of spin-polarized atoms, and atomic magnetometry. Other materials can be found at http://www-atoms.physics.wisc.edu.

Recent Submissions

  • Advances in Fetal Magnetocardiography Using SERF Atomic Magnetometers 

    DeLand, Zachary (2017-12)
    Description of experiments and results pertaining to the development of a 4x2 channel atomic magnetometer array for use in detection of fetal magnetocardiography signals.
  • He 1s2s Energies 

    Walker, Thad; Masse, Robert (2014-01-17)
    This Mathematica notebook demonstrates how to calculate fairly accurate He energy levels using undergraduate level quantum mechanics. It is intended to accompany the manuscript "Accurate Binding Energy of the He Atom with ...
  • Atomic Fock State Preparation Using Rydberg Blockade: Supplementary Material 

    Ebert, Matthew et. al (2013-10-25)
    Supplementary material describing calibration and measurement of mean atom numbers in small atomic ensembles.
  • He 1s^2 Pertubation Theory 

    Masse, Robert; Walker, Thad G (2013-09-02)
    This Mathematica notebook accompanies the paper "Accurate Binding Energy of the He Atom with Undergraduate Quantum Mechanics". The notebook contains the calculations described in that paper.
  • Atom-Based Sensors 

    Walker, Thad G (2013-05-16)
    Presentation on quantum limits of NMR gyro performance, major known systematic errors, and new proposed NMR gyro method.
  • Anisotropic Spin-Exchange 

    Walker, Thad G.; Kadlecek, Stephen; Nelson, Ian (2009-11-25)
    Using measured spin-transfer rates from alkali atoms to 3He, combined with spin-relaxation rates of the alkali atoms due to 3He and 4He, it should be possible to di?erentiate between isotropic and anisotropic spin-exchange. ...
  • Ultrasensitive Atomic Magnetometers 

    Wyllie, Robert; Wakai, Ronald T.; Walker, Thad G. (2009-09-10)
    We have developed a novel, small-volume portable single-channel atomic biomagnetometer and have used it to detect adult MCG signals. The cryogenic-free magnetometer has sufficiently high sensitivity (20 fT/rt(Hz)) that ...
  • A Portable SERF Magnetometer for Biomagnetic Measurements 

    Wyllie, Robert (2009-09-10)
    Recent developments on the UW SERF magnetometer.
  • A Portable Ultrasensitive SERF Atomic Magnetometer for Biomagnetic Measurements 

    Proite, Nicholas; Cook, Peter; Li, Zhimin; Wakai, Ronald T.; Walker, Thad G.; Wyllie, Robert (2009-09-10)
    We present a portable Rb cell atomic magnetometer suited for biomagnetic measurements. Working in the spin-exchange relaxation free regime, we demonstrate an initial white noise floor of 60 fT$/\sqrt {Hz} $. We show an ...
  • Codes to accompany "Optically Pumped Atoms" 

    Walker, Thad G.; Happer, William; Jau, Yuan-Yu (2009)
  • Physics Challenges for Spin-Exchange Optical Pumping of He-3 

    Walker, Thad G. (2009-05-28)
    Presentation given at the "Physics and Applications of Polarized Noble Gases" workshop at the University of Virginia, May 19, 2009.
  • DAMOP Student Symposium 2009 

    Walker, Thad G. (2009-05-27)
    Presentation given at the student symposium for DAMOP 2009, Charlottesville, VA, May 21 2009. Includes an introduction to Rydberg physics with a description of recent experiments done at the University of Wisconsin
  • Dynamics of Low Density Rydberg Gases 

    Brekke, Erik; Day, Jason O.; Walker, Thad G. (2008-06-09)
    A state-dependent stimulated emission probe was used to investigate the coherent and dynamic properties of cold Rydberg atoms. 87Rb atoms were excited to various nl Rydberg states from a MOT via continuous two-photon ...
  • RayTrace 

    Walker, Thad G. (1998-03-13)
    This applet traces paraxial light rays through a user-specified system of up to 12 ideal thin lenses and apertures, allowing many simple optical instruments to be modelled. Three examples are given: coupling of light from ...
  • Non-Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing through Rydberg States in a MOT 

    Day, Jason; Brekke, Erik; Walker, Thad G. (2007-07-02)
    In this work, we use a three-photon near-resonant process in a laser-cooled Rb vapor to achieve phase-matched four-wave mixing using an intermediate Rydberg state. Rydberg atoms in the 36D5/2 state are efficiently produced ...
  • A Portable Ultrasensitive SERF Atomic Magnetometer for Biomagnetic Measurements 

    Wyllie, Robert; Li, Zhimin; Cook, Peter; Wakai, Ronald T.; Walker, Thad G. (2007-07-02)
    We present a portable Rb cell atomic magnetometer suited for biomagnetic measurements. Working in the spin-exchange relaxation free regime, we demonstrate an initial white noise floor of 60 fT/sqrt {Hz}. We show an adult ...