Cooling atoms in dark gravitational laser traps

We propose a trap based on an evanescent light wave which is formed on the surface of a conical or a pyramidal cavity in a glass substrate. The far blue-detuned evanescent wave acts as a mirror for atoms, bouncing on it in the gravitational field. In addition, fast and deep Sisyphus cooling in the evanescent wave can be organized for alkali atoms. This leads to the cooling of the atoms down to the recoil-limited temperature and their collection in the field- free region near the bottom of the trap, to form an atomic gas of extremely high density.We propose a trap based on an evanescent light wave which is formed on the surface of a conical or a pyramidal cavity in a glass substrate. The far blue-detuned evanescent wave acts as a mirror for atoms, bouncing on it in the gravitational field. In addition, fast and deep Sisyphus cooling in the evanescent wave can be organized for alkali atoms. This leads to the cooling of the atoms down to the recoil-limited temperature and their collection in the field- free region near the bottom of the trap, to form an atomic gas of extremely high density.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEMay 6, 19960 citations

Trapping atoms in a gravitational cavity

Hartmut Wallis, Jean Dalibard, Claude N. Cohen-Tannoudji

Applied Physics BMay 1, 1992145 citations

Dark-state cooling in the presence of gravity: Gravitational limit of laser cooling

Ralph Dum, Maxim Olshanii

Dark-state cooling of atoms in the presence of a uniform external (gravity) field is investigated. The external field leads to a finite lifetime for the dark state and thereby to a lower limit for the temperatures obtainable. The minimum temperature in the presence of a gravity field is found to be ${\mathrm{k}}_{\mathrm{B}}$ ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{grav}}$ \ensuremath{\sim}Mg\ensuremath{\lambda}/2\ensuremath{\pi} (where M is the atom mass, \ensuremath{\lambda} the wavelength of the cooling laser). This limit is shown to be a universal limit for any laser-cooling scheme.Dark-state cooling of atoms in the presence of a uniform external (gravity) field is investigated. The external field leads to a finite lifetime for the dark state and thereby to a lower limit for the temperatures obtainable. The minimum temperature in the presence of a gravity field is found to be ${\mathrm{k}}_{\mathrm{B}}$${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{grav}}$\ensuremath{\sim}Mg\ensuremath{\lambda}/2\ensuremath{\pi} (where M is the atom mass, \ensuremath{\lambda} the wavelength of the cooling laser). This limit is shown to be a universal limit for any laser-cooling scheme.

Physical Review AFeb 1, 19973 citations

The Development of a Light Pulse Atom Interferometer Towards a Parameter Search of the Dark Contents of the Vacuum.

OS Burrow

A parameter space search for dark contents of the vacuum utilising atom interferometry is motivated. This methodology is potentially sensitive to any dark contents of the vacuum that are spatially inhomogeneous on the lab scale, and couple to atoms in addition to the gravitational force. A path integral approach to atom interferometry is discussed and a parametrisation of the dark contents of the vacuum is presented. A magneto-optical trap is detailed, capable of trapping 6.5x10^7 atoms, as a cold atomic source for the atom interferometer. The development of a prototype light pulse Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer, currently in the commissioning stages is described, as well as a unique laser system capable of running the whole atom interferometer from just two extended cavity diode lasers. Using this device 1x10^6 atoms are trapped in a magneto-optical trap and further cooled to 96 μK in an optical molasses. This prototype device is now undergoing upgrades to create larger, colder sources of atoms for the interferometer.A parameter space search for dark contents of the vacuum utilising atom interferometry is motivated. This methodology is potentially sensitive to any dark contents of the vacuum that are spatially inhomogeneous on the lab scale, and couple to atoms in addition to the gravitational force. A path integral approach to atom interferometry is discussed and a parametrisation of the dark contents of the vacuum is presented. A magneto-optical trap is detailed, capable of trapping 6.5x10^7 atoms, as a cold atomic source for the atom interferometer. The development of a prototype light pulse Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer, currently in the commissioning stages is described, as well as a unique laser system capable of running the whole atom interferometer from just two extended cavity diode lasers. Using this device 1x10^6 atoms are trapped in a magneto-optical trap and further cooled to 96 μK in an optical molasses. This prototype device is now undergoing upgrades to create larger, colder sources of atoms for the interferometer.

Jan 1, 20160 citations

Laser cooling and trapping of atoms

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

Cambridge University Press eBooksDec 3, 20153 citations

{\mathrm{k}}_{\mathrm{B}}

{\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{grav}}

\ensuremath{\sim}Mg\ensuremath{\lambda}/2\ensuremath{\pi} (where M is the atom mass, \ensuremath{\lambda} the wavelength of the cooling laser). This limit is shown to be a universal limit for any laser-cooling scheme.