Experimental and theoretical progress has been made toward the production and manipulation of novel atomic and molecular states. The design, construction and characterization of a driver for an acousto-optic modulator is presented which achieves a maximum diffraction efficiency of 54 % at 200 MHz, using a commercial modulator. A novel design is presented for a highly sensitive optical spectrum analyzer for displaying laser mode structure in real time. Utilizing programmable microcontrollers to read data from a CMOS image sensor illuminated by the diffraction pattern from a Fabry-Perot interferometer, this device can operate with beam powers as low as 3.3 micro-watts, at a fraction of the cost of equivalent products. Computational results are presented analyzing the behaviour of a model quantum system in the vicinity of an avoided crossing. The results are compared with calculations based on the Landau-Zener formula, with discussion of its limitations. Further computational work is focused on simulating expected conditions in the implementation of the STIRAP technique for coherent control of atoms and molecules in the beam experiment. The work presented provides tools to further the aim of producing large, mono-energetic populations of heavy Rydberg systems. / Thesis (Master, Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy) -- Queen's University, 2007-10-03 17:17:56.841

The "Mark V" Holographic Video Monitor ("HoloMonitor") is a continuation of effort and accomplishments to produce a low-cost device capable of reproducing true full-color horizontal-parallax-only computer-generated holograms at typical video frame-rates. While other devices around the world may have greater capabilities, these devices are currently confined to laboratory settings due to their sheer complexity and expense. The aim of this project is to provide researchers and "tinkerers" with a device capable of recreating holographic effects in full color, respectable resolution, in real time, and at a comparatively low cost. The "Mark V" HoloMonitor is a closer representation of a consumer product than any other device of the MIT/BYU series of HoloMonitors. In this thesis, I discuss the complete design and construction of all of the optic (sans modulator) electronic subsystems that compose this device, along with explaining and providing working code needed to drive it in various modes of operation. The main objective of this thesis is to sufficiently instruct undergraduate and graduate colleagues so that they can replicate and build upon this work.