Building up Quantum Technologies at USD

Sponsored by the NSF under the MPS LEAPS program
& Dr. Mossman's Research Startup.

Build a cold atom apparatus for studies in quantum hydrodynamics at USD.

The apparatus at University of San Diego, April 2024.

Background

This lab - and page - is currently under construction!

Current status of cold atoms in the lab: 3D magneto-optical trap (temperatures ~50 microK)

Lab Updates

Impact

Over 20 students have engaged with Dr. Mossman in undergraduate research projects since Summer 2021. These students have gone on to a variety of careers and graduate programs and have positively benefitted from the hands-on lab experiences and opportunities to attend and present at local and national physics meetings.

See Published Works for list of student presentations and Where are They Now? to see where students have gone after graduation.

QHLVideo.mp4

Undergraduate Student Projects

Michael Galik “Optical design of a 3D Magneto-Optical Trap” – Summer 2023
David Vera “Transporting atoms with a tunable lens system” – Fall 2022 and Summer 2023
Carrie Samonte “Testing a digital micro-mirror device for dynamic light potentials” – Spring 2023, Summer 2023
Andrew Jockelle + Senior Design Team (x5) “Design and Characterization of a Scripted Control System for Ultracold Atoms at USD” – AY 22-23
Carlo Sanchez “Developing Image-Analysis Programming for Ultracold Atom Experiments in Python” – Fall 2022, Spring 2023
Dustin Greenwood “Evaluating the Output and Performance of a Commercial Tapered Amplifier System” – Fall 2022
Shaw Clements "Polarization of light and investigating the stability of 3D printed fiber paddles" – Fall 2022
Dustin Greenwood “Building and Testing a PID-Based Laser Intensity Control System” – Summer 2022
Andrew Jockelle “Design and Implementation of a Closed-Loop Magnetic Fluxgate Servo System” – Summer 2022
Brandon Eickert “Design and Implementation of a Laser-Interlock System for a Class 4 Laser System” – Summer 2022
Judith Gonzalez Sorribes “Generating Tunable RF Signals via Voltage-Controlled Oscillators for Acousto-Optic Modulators” – Spring 2022
Judith Gonzalez Sorribes “Modeling and Designing Magnetic Coils for a 3D Magneto-Optical Trap” – Fall 2021
Lee Lennon “Modeling and Testing Magnetic Coils for a 2D Magneto-Optical Trap” – Fall 2021
Danielle Smith “Modeling and Assembling an Ultracold Vacuum System for the Creation of Bose-Einstein Condensates” – Fall 2021