ArTTA - applied Quantum Technology

The Heidelberg Argon Trap Trace Analysis (ArTTA) apparatus applies quantum optical methods to establish an ultra-sensitive detection method for the radioisotope $^{39}$Ar, which, with a half-life of 269 years, serves as a unique tracer for dating of environmental samples. The ratio of $^{39}$Ar to Ar in fresh air is 10$^{−15}$. To distinguish the isotope of interest from the huge background of abundant isotopes the isotopic shift in optical resonance frequency is utilized. The high selectivity is achieved by a multitude of scattering processes, which are realized in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), where single atoms are captured and detected.

ATTA, ArTTA & KrypTTA The difference between the three shortcuts is rather simple: ATTA is the general Atom Trap Trace Analysis technique, undependent of the isotope of interest. ArTTA and KrypTTA are used to specify the analysed isotope Argon ($^{39}$Ar), Krypton ($^{85}$Kr) respectively.

Learn more about our ArTTA machine.

Open positions

We’re looking for Master as well as Bachelor students. Just write a mail to Markus K. Oberthaler, Julian Robertz, Yannis Arck, David Wachs, Florian Meienburg or Verena Oehmke, come around and have a chat. Your project could be

• optical transfer of metastable atoms
• surpression of cross-sampling contamination measuring $^{85}$Kr
• finalization of a laser system for Kr
• modularization of a laser system for Ar
• measuring environmental samples and interpretation of the result
• quench measurements of $^{36}$Ar
• …