High-resolution scanning electron microscopy of an ultracold quantum gas

ABSTRACT Our knowledge of ultracold quantum gases is strongly influenced by our ability to probe these objects. _In situ_ imaging combined with single-atom sensitivity is an especially

appealing scenario, as it can provide direct information on the structure and the correlations of such systems. For a precise characterization a high spatial resolution is mandatory. In

particular, the perspective to study quantum gases in optical lattices makes a resolution well below one micrometre highly desirable. Here, we report on a novel microscopy technique, which

is based on scanning electron microscopy and allows for the detection of single atoms inside a quantum gas with a spatial resolution of better than 150 nm. We document the great

functionality of this technique by precise density measurements of a trapped Bose–Einstein condensate and the first experimental demonstration of single-site addressability in a

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in the early stage of the experiment. We thank P. van der Straten for the loan of equipment. This work was funded through the DFG and the Forschungsfond of the University of Mainz. AUTHOR

INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, 55099 Mainz, Germany Tatjana Gericke, Peter Würtz, Daniel Reitz, Tim Langen & Herwig Ott

Authors * Tatjana Gericke View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Peter Würtz View author publications You can also search for this author

inPubMed Google Scholar * Daniel Reitz View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Tim Langen View author publications You can also search for this

author inPubMed Google Scholar * Herwig Ott View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR Correspondence to Herwig Ott. RIGHTS

AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Gericke, T., Würtz, P., Reitz, D. _et al._ High-resolution scanning electron microscopy of an ultracold quantum

gas. _Nature Phys_ 4, 949–953 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphys1102 Download citation * Received: 30 April 2008 * Accepted: 10 September 2008 * Published: 19 October 2008 * Issue Date:

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