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arXiv:1505.03591

Enhanced trapping of colding lithium by using the multiple-sideband cooling in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap

Kai Li, Dongfang Zhang, Tianyou Gao, Shi-Guo Peng, Kaijun Jiang

Published May 14, 2015• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Trapping lithium with a big number in a simplified experimental setup has difficulties and challenges today. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate the enhancement of \textsuperscript{6}Li trapping efficiency in a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D MOT) by using the multiple-sideband cooling in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT). To improve the number of trapped atoms, we broaden the cooling light spectrum to 102 MHz composed of seven frequency components and then trap atoms with a number of $6.0\times10^8$ which is about 4 times compared to that in the single-frequency cooling. The capture velocity and dependence of atomic number on the laser detuning have been analyzed, where the experimental result has a good agreement with the theoretical prediction based on a simple two-level model. We also analyze the loss rate of alkali metals due to fine-structure exchanging collisions and find that the multiple-sideband cooling is special valid for lithium.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1505.03591

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Trapping lithium with a big number in a simplified experimental setup has difficulties and challenges today. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate the enhancement of \textsuperscript{6}Li trapping efficiency in a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D MOT) by using the multiple-sideband cooling in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT). To improve the number of trapped atoms, we broaden the cooling light spectrum to 102 MHz composed of seven frequency components and then trap atoms with a number of 6.0×1086.0\times10^86.0×108 which is about 4 times compared to that in the single-frequency cooling. The capture velocity and dependence of atomic number on the laser detuning have been analyzed, where the experimental result has a good agreement with the theoretical prediction based on a simple two-level model. We also analyze the loss rate of alkali metals due to fine-structure exchanging collisions and find that the multiple-sideband cooling is special valid for lithium.
Trapping a large number of 6Li^{6}\mathrm{Li}6Li atoms in a simplified experimental setup is a long-term pursuit in the studies of degenerate Fermi gases. We experimentally and theoretically demonstrate the enhancement of 6Li^{6}\mathrm{Li}6Li trapping efficiency in a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D MOT) by using the multiple-sideband cooling in a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT). In the 2D MOT, we increase the spectral width of the cooling light to 102 MHz by generating six frequency sidebands in order to couple fast atoms. The capture velocity is dramatically increased by employing the multiple-sideband cooling. The number of trapped atoms in the 3D MOT is $6.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$, which is higher by a factor of 4 than in the case of single-frequency cooling. We have investigated the dependence of atom number on laser detuning, and our experimental result agrees well with the prediction of a simple two-level model. The efficiency of the multiple-sideband cooling for lithium (in contrast to many other alkali-metal atoms) is also confirmed by the analysis of the loss due to fine-structure changing collisions.
We demonstrate the enhancement and optimization of a cold strontium atomic beam from a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT) transversely loaded from a collimated atomic beam by adding a sideband frequency to the cooling laser. The parameters of the cooling and sideband beams are scanned to achieve the maximum atomic beam flux and are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. We obtain a 2.3 times larger total atomic flux and a brightness increase of a factor 4 compared with a conventional, single-frequency 2D MOT for a given total power of 200 mW. We show that the sideband-enhanced 2D MOT can reach the loading-rate performances of space-demanding Zeeman-slower-based systems, while it can overcome systematic effects due to thermal-beam collisions and hot-black-body-radiation shift, making it suitable for both transportable and accurate optical lattice clocks. Finally, we numerically study possible extensions of the sideband-enhanced 2D MOT to other alkaline-earth species.
Enhanced Loading of a Lithium 7 Magneto Optical Trap using Transverse Cooling and Frequency Spread Light Fabio Mibielli Peixoto 2002 Using a frequency spread light and a zigzag beam configuration we have transversely cooled and compressed an atomic beam of 7Li in two dimensions (2D). The loading rate of the Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) increased by a factor of 10 capturing 2× 109 atoms. We have studied the loading rate dependence on the 2D beam intensity and on the number of reflections. A phenomenological model that explains our results is proposed. Evaporative cooling of 7Li was observed in a Quadrupole and in a Time Orbiting Potential trap (TOP). The phase-space density (PSD) of the cloud in the Quadrupole increased by a factor of 10. In the TOP we observed evaporation through the “circle of death”. Some limitations for evaporative cooling of 7Li in the TOP were discovered. They are related to the impossibility of laser cooling the atoms inside the trap. Enhanced Loading of a Lithium 7 Magneto Optical Trap using Transverse Cooling and Frequency Spread Light A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Yale University in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Fabio Mibielli Peixoto Dissertation Director: Prof. Mark Kasevich December, 2002 c © 2003 by Fabio Mibielli Peixoto. All rights reserved. For my parents, Sergio “Cachorrao” and Marcia Regina.
To prepare cold lithium atoms for atomic interferometry experiments, we have carried out experimental researches on Zeeman deceleration and magneto-optical trap (MOT) of lithium atoms. We have also designed and implemented a compact adjustable Zeeman slower with an inner water cooling chamber, to decelerate the velocity of the 7Li atom beam from 600 m/s down to 60 m/s, and load them into the MOT. The loading rate is 5108 /s, the total trapped atom number is 1109 , and the lowest temperature of the atom cloud is 220 30 K. Then we investigate the dependence of lifetime of 7Li atoms in optical molasses on the detuning of trapping laser beams. The above results lay a foundation for further sub-Doppler cooling, optical trap based on evaporative cooling, and atomic interferometry experiments.
Integrating two chemically distinct atomic species into a miniaturized, high-flux cold-atom source is a key challenge for modern experiments with ultracold atomic mixtures and polar molecules.Here, we report a compact setup with in-series two-dimensional magneto-optical traps (2D MOTs) that provides high-flux cold lithium and rubidium atoms.Thanks to the efficient short-distance Zeeman slowing, the maximum 3D MOT loading rate of lithium atoms reaches a record value of 6.6 × 10 9 atoms/s at a moderate lithium-oven temperature of 372 degrees Celsius, which is 44 times higher than that without the Zeeman slowing light.The flux of rubidium is also as high as 2.3 × 10 9 atoms/s with the rubidium oven held at room temperature.Meanwhile, the entire vacuum-chamber system, including an ultra-high-vacuum science cell, is within a small volume of 65 × 55 × 70 cm 3 .Our work represents a substantial improvement over traditional bulky and complex dual-species cold-atom setups.It provides a good starting point for the fast production of a double-degenerate lithium-rubidium atomic mixture and large samples of ultracold lithium-rubidium ground-state molecules.
Integrating two chemically distinct atomic species into a miniaturized, high-flux cold-atom source is a key challenge for modern experiments with ultracold atomic mixtures and polar molecules. Here, we report a compact setup with in-series two-dimensional magneto-optical traps (2D MOTs) that provides high-flux cold lithium and rubidium atoms. Thanks to the efficient short-distance Zeeman slowing, the maximum 3D MOT loading rate of lithium atoms reaches a record value of 6.6 × 10 9 atoms/s at a moderate lithium-oven temperature of 372 degrees Celsius, which is 44 times higher than that without the Zeeman slowing light. The flux of rubidium is also as high as 2.3 × 10 9 atoms/s with the rubidium oven held at room temperature. Meanwhile, the entire vacuum-chamber system, including an ultra-high-vacuum science cell, is within a small volume of 65 × 55 × 70 cm 3 . Our work represents a substantial improvement over traditional bulky and complex dual-species cold-atom setups. It provides a good starting point for the fast production of a double-degenerate lithium-rubidium atomic mixture and large samples of ultracold lithium-rubidium ground-state molecules.