title: Deterministic delivery of a single atom.
abstract: We report the realization of a deterministic source of single atoms. A standing-wave dipole trap is loaded with one or any desired number of cold cesium atoms from a magneto-optical trap. By controlling the motion of the standing wave, we adiabatically transport the atom with submicrometer precision over macroscopic distances on the order of a centimeter. The displaced atom is observed directly in the dipole trap by fluorescence detection. The trapping field can also be accelerated to eject a single atom into free flight with well-defined velocities.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Angewandte Physik, Universität Bonn, Wegelerstrasse 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany. kuhr@iap.uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuhr
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alt
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schrader
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gomer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meschede