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arXiv:1111.6225 · Physical Review A

Optical repumping of triplet- P states enhances magneto-optical trapping of ytterbium atoms

Jun Woo Cho, Han‐gyeol Lee, Sangkyung Lee, Jaewook Ahn, Won-Kyu Lee, Dai-Hyuk Yu, Sun Kyung Lee, Chang Yong Park

Published Mar 5, 2012• 26 citations

Abstract

Radiative decay from the excited ${}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{1}$ state to metastable ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{2}$ and ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}$ states is expected to limit the attainable trapped atomic population in a magneto-optic trap of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. In experiments we have carried out with optical repumping of ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0,2}$ states to ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{1}$, we observe an enhanced yield of trapped atoms in the excited ${}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{1}$ state. The individual decay rate to each metastable state is measured and the results show excellent agreement with the theoretical values.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.85.035401

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Radiative decay from the excited

{}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{1}

state to metastable

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{2}

and

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0}

states is expected to limit the attainable trapped atomic population in a magneto-optic trap of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. In experiments we have carried out with optical repumping of

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{0,2}

states to

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{1}

, we observe an enhanced yield of trapped atoms in the excited

{}^{1}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{1}

state. The individual decay rate to each metastable state is measured and the results show excellent agreement with the theoretical values.

Radiative decay of excited

{}^{1}{P}_{1}

states to metastables is expected to limit attainable lifetimes in magneto-optic traps (MOTs) containing alkaline-earth-metal-like atoms. We present measurements of power-dependent loss from a ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}$ ytterbium MOT, show that the observed power dependence is consistent with radiative decay from the

{(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}

excited state leading to population of lower-lying metastable states, and determine the

{(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}

-to-metastable state decay rate. With weak excitation of the ${(6s}^{2}{)}^{1}{S}_{0}{\ensuremath{-}(6s6p)}^{1}{P}_{1}$ trapping transition, MOT lifetimes approaching 800 ms are observed.

We demonstrate enhanced loading of strontium atoms into a magneto-optical trap using a repumping scheme from the metastable state via the doubly excited state $5s5p{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{3}{P}_{2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5{p}^{2}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{3}{P}_{2}$ at

481\phantom{\rule{3.33333pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}

. The number of trapped atoms is increased by an order of magnitude. The frequency and intensity dependence of the atom number enhancement, with respect to the nonrepumping case, is well reproduced by a simple rate equation model, which also describes single-laser repumping schemes reported previously. The repumping scheme is limited by a weak additional loss channel into the long-lived

5s5p{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{3}{P}_{0}

state. For low repumping intensities, the signature of a halo formed by magnetically trapped atoms in the metastable state is found.

We have succeeded in magneto-optical trapping of Yb atoms decelerated by a Zeeman slower method. The number of the trapped atoms is more than about $1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ measured by light absorption. We have found the evidence of the branching from the

{}^{1}{P}_{1}

excited state to triplet states, and determined the lower limit on the branching ratio to be $1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}.$

We report the realization of ytterbium magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the dipole-allowed 1 S 0 — 1 P 1 transition at 398.9 nm. The MOT is loaded by a slowed atomic beam produced by a Zeeman slower. All seven stable isotopes of Yb atoms could be trapped separately at different laser detuning values. Over 10 7 174 Yb atoms are collected in the MOT, whereas the atom number of fermionic isotope 171 Yb is roughly 2.3 × 10 6 due to a lower abundance. Without the Zeeman slower, the trapped atom numbers are one order of magnitude lower. Both the even and odd isotopes are recognized as excellent candidates of optical clock transition, so the cooling and trapping of ytterbium atoms by the blue MOT is an important step for building an optical clock.