Progress towards strong coupling between collisionally blockaded atoms and an optical cavity

Abstract

In this thesis, I present the motivation and design for an experiment in which to probe the interactions between an atom and a single photon light field. I discuss the relevant technical considerations and many of the physical phenomena that can be tested with this particular experimental system. In particular, I discuss the design, implementation, and control of a high finesse cavity overlapped with a 2pm dipole trap. The use of a relatively long (14mm) cavity grants good optical access, permitting the implementation of a dipole trap centered on the cavity, and small enough to capture only a single atom in the collisional blockade regime.