| Micron sized glass cells filled with atomic vapor are promising candidates for quantum devices based on the Rydberg blockade. Due to the strong interaction between two Rydberg atoms, only one Rydberg excitation is possible within a certain volume characterized by the blockade radius (typically few microns), that is determined by the laser bandwidth and the interaction strength. This effect also provides a nonlinearity that is an essential tool for proposals to entangle mesoscopic ensembles and to realize single photon sources. In order to probe coherent dynamics it is necessary for the excitation times to be shorter than typical dephasing timescales. This can be realized by utilizing a bandwidth limited pulsed laser system which allows for the creation of high enough Rabi-frequencies. We report on the first coherent Rydberg excitation in a homemade 2D rubidium vapor cell with a thickness of 1 µ m including investigation of effects due to confinement in the vapor cell [1]. Furthermore EIT measurements on rubidium vapor in micron sized channels show that coherent dynamics and narrow linewidths are possible. First measurements with a pulsed laser system showed evidence of coherent dynamics on the ns-timescale. |
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