Preparing a high optical depth cold atomic ensemble for a light matter interface in free space

Atomic ensembles provide a versatile light matter interface for the preparation of complex quantum states. Light-matter interfaces have allowed for the preparation of highly squeezed spin states and complex non-Gaussian states based on measurement backaction for metrology and quantum information processing. We are working towards preparing a large atomic ensemble of cold cesium atoms with high optical depth in free space to increase the efficiency for quantum state preparation based on measurement backaction. We investigate methods to optimize the optical depth of the atomic ensemble by controlling the laser parameters and magnetic fields in our magneto optical trap. Our goal is to achieve an optical depth of 300 or higher.