Category: SAM
The Prototype Single Atom Microscope
Efficient, selective, and sensitive Detection of atomic nuclear reaction products via optical imaging B. Loseth, R. Fang, D. Frisbie, K. Parzuchowski, C. Ugalde, J. Wenzl, and J. T. Singh Phys. Rev. C 99, 065805 – Published 13 June 2019
First Neon Film in prototype Single Atom Microscope
The prototype Single Atom Microscope has been assembled and has passed two critical test. The substrate upon which we grow the solid neon thin films can be cooled to around 7 K which is cold enough to grow neon films. We have grown neon films at a rate of roughly 1 micron per ...
Producing Scientific Diagrams Which Reveal the Relevant Scale @EdwardTufte
Learning how to produce informative and detailed graphical representations of the equipment used for experiments is a critical skill that takes practice and requires detailed knowledge of what is truly important about each component of the apparatus. For the Single Atom Microscope (SAM) project, we designed and assembled a prototype gas handling system (GHS) which ...
Farewell Andy & Courtney! (2017 MSU REU Poster Session)
Andy and Courtney have completed their REUs with the group this summer and presented their results at the REU poster session. Andy developed a machine vision system for characterizing the HV electrodes used for the Ra EDM experiment. This optical method is high resolution (10 microns), high precision (repeatable), real time (can be performed ...
Calibrated Spatial Profile Measurements of Extended Light Sources
The purpose of SAM is to image individual atoms that fluoresce upon excitation with a light source that we choose based upon the properties of those atoms. In the past, we’ve made the simplifying assumption that the spatial profile of a light source is uniform, but, for real extended light sources, this is not true. ...
Laser Scanning of Yb Atomic Beam Fluorescence
The Single Atom Microscope team, led by Kristen and Roy, is taking large steps towards a proper calibration of Yb atom number density in solid Neon. Most recently, the atomic beam fluorescence measurements have incorporated laser frequency scanning. At a stable atomic oven temperature, these measurements are used to determine the Yb atomic beam flux ...
Bake of the Ne Gas Handling System
This week, we completed a setup for a vacuum bake. Vacuum bakes are used to remove tiny impurities (specifically water) from a vacuum system. This is done by heating the vacuum components, which makes any water bound to the walls of the stainless steel detach at a faster rate. In this process we use heating tapes rated for conductive ...
Upgrades to the Noble Gas Purification
In recent weeks, the SAM team has made a few upgrades to the Ne gas handling setup. For single atom detection, it is essential that other fluorescence sources are minimized as much as possible. Impurities in the neon film where the Yb and Mg atoms get embedded could act as fluorescent background sources. In addition, ...
Evan wins First Place in the UURAF Poster Competition!
Being able to take part in UURAF was a great opportunity to learn how to present research in a professional environment. Probably the most useful part for me was the preparation of the poster. Having never made a scientific poster before, Jennifer was very helpful in giving me advice. By the time I presented my ...
NSF Awards Spinlab CAREER Grant
CAREER: Optical Single Atom Detection for Nuclear Astrophysics This award supports the development, construction, and commissioning of an optical microscope capable of imaging individual atoms that are captured inside a thin film of frozen neon. Initially, this single atom microscope will capture and count the number of magnesium atoms produced in collisions of neon and ...
SPINLAB @ MSU 
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