Abstract

Ion traps have been used for several important experiments testing our under-standing of quantum mechanics as it applies to single atomic particles [1], We report progress in two experiments currently underway which look at different aspects of the quantum theory of the interaction of radiation with atoms (ions). The first of these is an experiment to investigate the quantum Zeno effect [2], in which an atomic transition is “slowed down” by repeated measurements of the state of the system. A theoretical treatment of the problem [3] highlights the importance the destruct ion of coherence in a driven transition by radiation which probes the system on a second transition. The quantum Zeno effect can give us important, information about how measurements are made in quantum mechanics. The second experiment seeks to take advantage of the unique properties of trapped ions to study cavity QED effects [4]. In particular we will look for modifications to the spontaneous emission of trapped ions held at the centre of an optical cavity. The magnitude of the cavity’s effect on the atomic emission increases with decreasing cavity mode volume so that small cavities and hence small traps are needed. The first stage of both of these experiments is the development of new types of trap which do not use the usual electrode structure of a quadrupole ion trap.

© 1996 IEEE