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Partial-Transfer Absorption Imaging: A versatile technique for optimal imaging of ultracold gases
Published
Author(s)
Gretchen K. Campbell, Sergio R. Muniz, Kevin Wright, Russell P. Anderson, William D. Phillips, Kristian Helmerson
Abstract
Partial-transfer absorption imaging is a tool that enables optimal imaging of atomic clouds for a wide range of optical depths. In contrast to standard absorption imaging, the technique can be minimally-destructive and can be used to obtain multiple successive images of the same sample. The technique involves transferring a small fraction of the sample from an initial internal atomic state to an auxiliary state and subsequently imaging that fraction absorptively on a cycling transition. The atoms remaining in the initial state are essentially unaected. We demonstrate the technique, discuss its applicability, and compare its performance as a minimally-destructive technique to that of phase-contrast imaging.
Citation
Review of Scientific Instruments
Volume
83
Pub Type
Journals
Keywords
Bose-Einstein Condensation, ultracold atoms
Citation
Campbell, G.
, Muniz, S.
, Wright, K.
, Anderson, R.
, Phillips, W.
and Helmerson, K.
(2012),
Partial-Transfer Absorption Imaging: A versatile technique for optimal imaging of ultracold gases, Review of Scientific Instruments
(Accessed October 10, 2025)