Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1302.6414 · Physical Review A

Photoionization loss in simultaneous magneto-optical trapping of Rb and Sr

T. Aoki, Yuki Yamanaka, Makoto Takeuchi, Yoshio Torii, Y. Sakemi

Published Jun 28, 2013• 14 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We demonstrate the simultaneous magneto-optical trapping (MOT) of Rb and Sr and examine the characteristic loss of Rb in the MOT due to photoionization by the cooling laser for Sr. The photoionization cross section of Rb in the $5{P}_{3/2}$ state at 461 nm is determined to be $1.4(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ cm${}^{2}$. It is important to consider this loss rate to realize a sufficiently large number of trapped Rb atoms to achieve a quantum degenerate mixture of Rb and Sr.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.87.063426

Related papers

Photoionization loss in a simultaneous magneto-optical trap of Rb and Sr

T. Aoki, Yuki Yamanaka, Y. Sakemi +1 more

We demonstrate the simultaneous magneto-optical trapping (MOT) of Rb and Sr and examine the characteristic loss of Rb in the MOT due to photoionization by the cooling laser for Sr. The photoionization cross section of Rb in the $5P_{3/2}$ state at 461 nm is determined to be $1.2\times10^{-17}$ cm$^2$. It is important to consider this loss rate to realize a sufficiently large number of trapped Rb atoms to achieve a quantum degenerate mixture of Rb and Sr.

•Feb 26, 2013•0 citations

Photoionization cross sections of the 5S1/2 and 5P3/2 states of Rb in simultaneous magneto-optical trapping of Rb and Hg

M. Witkowski, Rodolfo Munoz-Rodriguez, Andrzej Raczyński +5 more

We report the measurement of the photoionization cross sections of the $5{S}_{1/2}$ and $5{P}_{3/2}$ states of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ in a two-species Hg and Rb magneto-optical trap (MOT) by the cooling laser for Hg. The photoionization cross sections of Rb in the $5{S}_{1/2}$ and $5{P}_{3/2}$ states at 253.7 nm are determined to be ${1}_{\ensuremath{-}1}^{+4.3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}20}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\text{cm}}^{2}$ and $4.63(30)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\text{cm}}^{2}$, respectively. To measure the $5{S}_{1/2}$ and $5{P}_{3/2}$ state fractions in the MOT we detected the photoionization rate of the $5{P}_{3/2}$ state by an additional 401.5 nm laser. The photoionization cross section of Rb in the $5{P}_{3/2}$ state at 401.5 nm is determined to be $\text{1.18(10)}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\text{cm}}^{2}$.

arXiv:1810.12211•Physical Review A•Nov 29, 2018•10 citations

A two species trap for chromium and rubidium atoms

S. Hensler, Axel Griesmaier, Jörg Werner +2 more

We realize a combined trap for bosonic chromium (52Cr) and rubidium (87Rb) atoms. Initial experiments focus on exploring a suitable loading scheme for the combined trap and on studies of new trap loss mechanisms originating from simultaneous trapping of two species. By comparing the trap loss from the 87Rb magneto-optical trap (MOT) in the absence and presence of magnetically trapped ground state 52Cr atoms we determine the scattering cross-section of σ inel,RbCr = 5.0 ± 4.0 × 10−18 m2 for light-induced inelastic collisions between the two species. Studying the trap loss from the Rb magneto-optical trap induced by the Cr cooling-laser light, the photoionization cross-section of the excited 5P3/1 state at an ionizing wavelength of 426 nm is measured to be σ P = 1.1 ± 0.3 × 10−21 m2.

arXiv:quant-ph/0401125•Journal of Modern Optics•Jun 18, 2004•17 citations

Magneto-optical trap of silver and potassium atoms

Michael Vayninger, Angela Xiang, Nachiket D. Bhanushali +6 more

We demonstrate a dual magneto-optical trap (MOT) of $^{109}\mathrm{Ag}$ and $^{39}\mathrm{K}$. For silver, a decreasing-field Zeeman slower loads a MOT of $1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ atoms at a temperature of 0.74(5) mK, with laser cooling occurring primarily on the ${D}_{2}$ line of $4{d}^{10}5s\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}^{2}S_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}^{2}P_{3/2}$ at 328 nm. We create a Ag ``dark spot MOT,'' where shelving the atoms in a dark state enhances the captured atom number by a factor of 2 and the lifetime by a factor of 4. For potassium, we obtain $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ trapped atoms, and further cooling on the ${D}_{1}$ transition via gray molasses results in a cloud of $1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ atoms at $7(1)\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\textmu{}\mathrm{K}$. We observe evidence of photoionization loss of the K MOT in the presence of Ag laser-cooling light, necessitating sequential rather than simultaneous loading for the two species. Our results on Ag point to simple and general laser cooling strategies for other coinage metals (Au, Cu). Furthermore, this work lays the foundation for the production of alkali-metal--coinage-metal degenerate quantum mixtures and highly polar molecules.

arXiv:2507.11434•Physical Review A•Nov 14, 2025•6 citations

Experimental Investigation of a Rubidium-Argon Dual Species Magneto-Optical Trap

H. C. Busch

The first simultaneous cooling and confinement of two different atomic species from opposite sides of the periodic table in a dual magneto optical trap (DMOT) has been accomplished. The alkali-metal 85Rb and the noble gas 40Ar* have been simultaneously confined, characterized, and interspecies interaction parameters have been measured. The DMOT confined 1.2 × 106 85Rb atoms at a density of 1 × 1010/cm3 and 1.4 × 106 40Ar* atoms with a density of 1.2 × 1010/cm3. A collisional loss rate coefficient for Rb-Ar* has been determined to be γRb-Ar, = (4.8 ± 1.6) × 10−11cm3/s. A typical reduction of 3% of the florescence of the trapped 85Rb was observed when the 40Ar* trap was present. The loss of atoms from the dual trap is presumed to be caused by radiative escape and ionization losses, for an 40Ar* MOT it is due to Penning and associative ionization losses. An Ar* PI/AI ionization ratio of 6.7 ± 3.6 was determined, which makes the Penning ionization rate the dominant loss mechanism. The ionization rate was obtained with a SRS RGA200 mass spectrum analyzer specifically modified to work in conjunction with an ion optical field plate setup to collect the ions expelled from the MOT. The 85Rb was trapped with a 780 nm diode laser while the 40Ar* was slowed and trapped with a 811 nm Ti:sapphire laser, which was specifically modified to be locked to within 1 MHz of the atomic transition with a linewidth of ∼1 MHz. The metastable state 40Ar* was produced with a rf driven resonating cavity discharge which produced an atomic beam with an angular flux density of 4 × 1014 atoms s−1 sr−1.

•Jan 1, 2004•0 citations

Simultaneous loading of 39 K and Rb into a crossed dipole trap: Characterization and two-body losses

Carlos Renato Menegatti, Bruno Marangoni, Jonathan Tallant +1 more

In this work, a broadband 1071 nm crossed optical dipole trap was loaded simultaneously from a two-atomic-species K-Rb magneto-optical trap. The number of atoms loaded into the dipole trap, for both species, was characterized as a function of different laser parameters and loading procedures. The best observed loading procedure for K is explained by the ac Stark shift of the hyperfine states involved in the ${D}_{2}$ transition. For the optimum conditions, the dipole trap has about $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ ${}^{39}$K atoms at an atomic density of $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ Rb atoms at an atomic density of $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$, with temperatures of 22 and 10 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K, respectively. Finally, by studying the time evolution of both species trapped in the crossed optical dipole trap, we have observed a nonexponential decay associated with heteronuclear two-body losses. Such losses may be due to KRb photoassociation by the broadband 1071 nm laser.

Physical Review A•Aug 9, 2013•4 citations
We demonstrate the simultaneous magneto-optical trapping (MOT) of Rb and Sr and examine the characteristic loss of Rb in the MOT due to photoionization by the cooling laser for Sr. The photoionization cross section of Rb in the 5P3/25{P}_{3/2}5P3/2​ state at 461 nm is determined to be 1.4(1)\ifmmode×\else\texttimes\fi10\ensuremath−171.4(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}1.4(1)\ifmmode×\else\texttimes\fi10\ensuremath−17 cm2{}^{2}2. It is important to consider this loss rate to realize a sufficiently large number of trapped Rb atoms to achieve a quantum degenerate mixture of Rb and Sr.
We demonstrate the simultaneous magneto-optical trapping (MOT) of Rb and Sr and examine the characteristic loss of Rb in the MOT due to photoionization by the cooling laser for Sr. The photoionization cross section of Rb in the 5P3/25P_{3/2}5P3/2​ state at 461 nm is determined to be 1.2×10−171.2\times10^{-17}1.2×10−17 cm2^22. It is important to consider this loss rate to realize a sufficiently large number of trapped Rb atoms to achieve a quantum degenerate mixture of Rb and Sr.
We report the measurement of the photoionization cross sections of the 5S1/25{S}_{1/2}5S1/2​ and 5P3/25{P}_{3/2}5P3/2​ states of 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb in a two-species Hg and Rb magneto-optical trap (MOT) by the cooling laser for Hg. The photoionization cross sections of Rb in the 5S1/25{S}_{1/2}5S1/2​ and 5P3/25{P}_{3/2}5P3/2​ states at 253.7 nm are determined to be ${1}_{\ensuremath{-}1}^{+4.3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}20}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\text{cm}}^{2}$ and $4.63(30)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\text{cm}}^{2}$, respectively. To measure the 5S1/25{S}_{1/2}5S1/2​ and 5P3/25{P}_{3/2}5P3/2​ state fractions in the MOT we detected the photoionization rate of the 5P3/25{P}_{3/2}5P3/2​ state by an additional 401.5 nm laser. The photoionization cross section of Rb in the 5P3/25{P}_{3/2}5P3/2​ state at 401.5 nm is determined to be $\text{1.18(10)}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\text{cm}}^{2}$.
We realize a combined trap for bosonic chromium (52Cr) and rubidium (87Rb) atoms. Initial experiments focus on exploring a suitable loading scheme for the combined trap and on studies of new trap loss mechanisms originating from simultaneous trapping of two species. By comparing the trap loss from the 87Rb magneto-optical trap (MOT) in the absence and presence of magnetically trapped ground state 52Cr atoms we determine the scattering cross-section of σ inel,RbCr = 5.0 ± 4.0 × 10−18 m2 for light-induced inelastic collisions between the two species. Studying the trap loss from the Rb magneto-optical trap induced by the Cr cooling-laser light, the photoionization cross-section of the excited 5P3/1 state at an ionizing wavelength of 426 nm is measured to be σ P = 1.1 ± 0.3 × 10−21 m2.
We demonstrate a dual magneto-optical trap (MOT) of 109Ag^{109}\mathrm{Ag}109Ag and 39K^{39}\mathrm{K}39K. For silver, a decreasing-field Zeeman slower loads a MOT of $1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ atoms at a temperature of 0.74(5) mK, with laser cooling occurring primarily on the D2{D}_{2}D2​ line of $4{d}^{10}5s\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}^{2}S_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5p\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}^{2}P_{3/2}$ at 328 nm. We create a Ag ``dark spot MOT,'' where shelving the atoms in a dark state enhances the captured atom number by a factor of 2 and the lifetime by a factor of 4. For potassium, we obtain $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ trapped atoms, and further cooling on the D1{D}_{1}D1​ transition via gray molasses results in a cloud of $1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ atoms at $7(1)\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\textmu{}\mathrm{K}$. We observe evidence of photoionization loss of the K MOT in the presence of Ag laser-cooling light, necessitating sequential rather than simultaneous loading for the two species. Our results on Ag point to simple and general laser cooling strategies for other coinage metals (Au, Cu). Furthermore, this work lays the foundation for the production of alkali-metal--coinage-metal degenerate quantum mixtures and highly polar molecules.
The first simultaneous cooling and confinement of two different atomic species from opposite sides of the periodic table in a dual magneto optical trap (DMOT) has been accomplished. The alkali-metal 85Rb and the noble gas 40Ar* have been simultaneously confined, characterized, and interspecies interaction parameters have been measured. The DMOT confined 1.2 × 106 85Rb atoms at a density of 1 × 1010/cm3 and 1.4 × 106 40Ar* atoms with a density of 1.2 × 1010/cm3. A collisional loss rate coefficient for Rb-Ar* has been determined to be γRb-Ar, = (4.8 ± 1.6) × 10−11cm3/s. A typical reduction of 3% of the florescence of the trapped 85Rb was observed when the 40Ar* trap was present. The loss of atoms from the dual trap is presumed to be caused by radiative escape and ionization losses, for an 40Ar* MOT it is due to Penning and associative ionization losses. An Ar* PI/AI ionization ratio of 6.7 ± 3.6 was determined, which makes the Penning ionization rate the dominant loss mechanism. The ionization rate was obtained with a SRS RGA200 mass spectrum analyzer specifically modified to work in conjunction with an ion optical field plate setup to collect the ions expelled from the MOT. The 85Rb was trapped with a 780 nm diode laser while the 40Ar* was slowed and trapped with a 811 nm Ti:sapphire laser, which was specifically modified to be locked to within 1 MHz of the atomic transition with a linewidth of ∼1 MHz. The metastable state 40Ar* was produced with a rf driven resonating cavity discharge which produced an atomic beam with an angular flux density of 4 × 1014 atoms s−1 sr−1.
In this work, a broadband 1071 nm crossed optical dipole trap was loaded simultaneously from a two-atomic-species K-Rb magneto-optical trap. The number of atoms loaded into the dipole trap, for both species, was characterized as a function of different laser parameters and loading procedures. The best observed loading procedure for K is explained by the ac Stark shift of the hyperfine states involved in the D2{D}_{2}D2​ transition. For the optimum conditions, the dipole trap has about $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ 39{}^{39}39K atoms at an atomic density of $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ Rb atoms at an atomic density of $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{12}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$, with temperatures of 22 and 10 $\ensuremath{\mu}$K, respectively. Finally, by studying the time evolution of both species trapped in the crossed optical dipole trap, we have observed a nonexponential decay associated with heteronuclear two-body losses. Such losses may be due to KRb photoassociation by the broadband 1071 nm laser.