title: Diffusion of a single ion in a one-dimensional optical lattice.
abstract: We present an experimental study of the spatial diffusion of a single ion in a polarization gradient field. A 24 Mg + ion was radially confined in a two-dimensional radio-frequency (rf) trap, while an optical lattice superimposed to a weak electric potential was applied along the free axis. With the help of a statistical analysis of single ion trajectories, a spatial diffusion constant was obtained as a function of optical potential depth. The results are compared to semiclassical theoretical models for trapped ions and neutral atoms.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schlipf
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Katori
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perotti
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Walther