Photoassociation of Two Atoms in an Asymmetric Optical Tweezer

This thesis presents experimental methods and results for comparative measurements of the photoassociation dynamics of two individual ultracold rubidium-85 atoms when geometry of the trapping potential is changed. An asymmetric trap geometry is hypothesized to change the dynamics of two-atom photoassociation, as the asymmetry increases the probability of the two-atom wavefunction forming as a peaked state. Two atoms in an optical trap, of which the symmetry is controlled via a mechanical iris, are exposed to photoassociation light. The results from the asymmetric trap are compared to the photoassociation dynamics of atoms in a symmetric trap. A paired sample t-test determines a statistically significant difference in the two measurements. This t-test yields a p-value no higher than p = 7 × 10−3 , thus it is likely that the two measurements do not come from the same distribution. This aligns with our hypothesis, and is a new, enlightening piece of research done in the field of few-atom physics.