July 2023 - First MOT (coldest matter in The Maritimes!)
In July 2023, we achieved our first 2D (bottom left) and 3D (bottom right) magneto-optical traps of rubidium-87. This was a major milestone for the group after 2+ years of building up the QSUM lab. At a temperature of about 100 micro-Kelvin, this cloud of ~100 million atoms is the coldest matter in Atlantic Canada!
Aug 2022 - Titanium Sapphire Laser Installation
Our cw Ti:Sapph laser finally arrived! After installation by a Spectra Physics technician in a neighbouring laser spectroscopy lab, it’s purring nicely and producing an impressive 4 Watts at 780 nm.
Update - August 2023: After a full year in operation without issue, we are very happy with this laser. We haven’t needed to open the cavity or adjust the intracavity optics at all!
Nov 2021 - UHV System Assembly and Pump Down
Our custom titanium science chamber arrived from SAES Rial Vacuum! We spent several days winding coils into the integrated coil frames (below) and testing the magnetic field inside the chamber. Assembly of the full UHV system (left), and the subsequent bakeout and pump down took another week.
