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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S71132/01
Title: Optical cooling and coherent manipulation of atoms and molecules
Principal Investigator: Freegarde, Dr TGM
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Physics and Astronomy
Organisation: University of Southampton
Scheme: First Grant Scheme Pre-FEC
Starts: 01 April 2004 Ends: 31 March 2007 Value (£): 120,851
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Cold Atomic Species Quantum Optics & Information
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The optical manipulation of molecules requires new schemes of coherent manipulation to overcome the complications introduced by their rovibrational level structure. Broadband interactions are needed to access multiple levels, and spontaneous emission must be minimized to reduce population migration. Starting with atomic rubidium in a magneto-optical trap, and progressing to photo-associated rubidium molecules, we shall explore various schemes of coherent manipulation, including deflection, amplification of Doppler cooling, interferometric cooling and 'algorithmic' cooling using our proposed momentum-state quantum computer. The optical manipulation is in each case is achieved via stimulated Raman transitions using a phasecontrollable modulated c.w. laser source. These experimental studies will complement on-going theoretical analyses, and will ultimately be combined with advanced dipole-force trap geometries. This research thus explores a broad range of novel manipulation schemes that will allow the advantages of laser cooling and trapping to be extended to molecules of scientific and technological interest. The ultimate applications range from fundamental physics and reaction chemistry, to directed chemical synthesis, nanofabrication and quantum information.
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Project URL: http://phyweb.phys.soton.ac.uk/quantum/
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk