High-coherence light source for atom trapping and cooling

Steven Chu, Carl Wieman

Hiroshi Kumagai, Yuichi Asakawa, Katsumi Midorikawa +1 more

We have developed an all-solid-state 252nm coherent light source for laser cooling of silicon atoms with tow-stage highly efficient frequency conversions with external cavities. With the coherent light source, it is possible to manipulate the atomic motion of the silicon atoms towards nano-process applications. In this paper, deflection, collimation, and axial velocity selection of the silicon atomic beam with the coherent light source are discussed.

Steven Chu, Mara Goff Prentiss, A. Cable +1 more

Hiroshi Kumagai, Yuichi Asakawa, Katsumi Midorikawa +1 more

All-solid-state 252 nm coherent light source for laser cooling of silicon atoms was developed successfully by two-stage highly efficient frequency conversions with external cavities.

William D. Phillips

In 1988, before the beginning of the current contract period, our group discovered that sodium atoms could be laser cooled well below the lower limit (the 'Doppler limit') predicted by the then generally accepted theory. Two main consequences of that discovery were a revamping of the theory of laser cooling and a renewed interest in the applications of laser cooling because of the far lower temperatures. Both of these effects are continuing in full force today, and this report is in large part a record of our group's continuing involvement in the new developments in laser cooling during the past three years. The work of the NIST laser cooling group falls functionally into the categories of: investigating laser cooling mechanisms; studies of collisions between laser cooled atoms; development of new trapping techniques for neutral atoms; study of the fluorescent spectrum of laser cooled atoms; manipulation of atoms and atom optics; development of coherent sources of vacuum ultraviolet light for laser cooling and high resolution spectroscopy; application of laser cooling and trapping technology to atomic frequency standards.

Philip H. Jones, Onofrio M. Maragò, Giovanni Volpe