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

Laser Physics

Laser frequency stabilization for atom cooling and magnetic-field compression of the trap

S. Chakrabarti, Ayan Ray, A. Bandyopadhyay, Dipankar Bhattacharyya, Biswajit Ray, B. N. Jagatap, K. G. Manohar, Pradip Narayan Ghosh

Published Sep 1, 2007• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

We report a frequency stabilization technique of a diode laser in a Doppler-free atomic transition used for obtaining the magneto-optical trapping of Rb atoms. This technique, based on side locking to an atomic transition using a servo controller, is very simple and can be implemented straightforwardly to lock the laser at the red detuned frequency position required for laser cooling experiments. The number of trapped atoms and the temperature of the cold cloud have been determined. The effect of trapping the magnetic field on the cloud radius has also been analyzed.

DOI
10.1134/s1054660x07090125

Related papers

Frequency stabilization of an extended cavity semiconductor diode laser for chirp cooling

J. Morzinski, Parminder S. Bhatia, M. S. Shahriar

We present a technique to stabilize in an atomic transition the chirping frequency of a narrow-band semiconductor diode laser. The technique is demonstrated to chirp-cool Rb85 atoms used for loading a magneto-optical trap. The stabilization process eliminates long-term fluctuations and drifts in the number of atoms caught in the trap. This is a simple, easy-to-implement, and robust method for wide range of laser cooling experiments employing frequency chirping.

Review of Scientific Instruments•Oct 1, 2002•0 citations

Temperature-insensitive laser frequency stabilization with magnetic tuning

Lucas Willis, M. J. Lim

We have implemented a tunable laser frequency lock with a wide recapture range and low sensitivity to temperature fluctuation, based on electronically power-normalized Doppler-broadened absorption spectra. The method requires no frequency modulation. A distributed-feedback diode laser locked to this system exhibits submegahertz stability over many hours. It has been used to magneto-optically trap rubidium atoms for a full day.

Applied Optics•Apr 24, 2008•5 citations

A single-laser alternating-frequency magneto-optical trap

B. Wiegand, B. Leykauf, K. Döringshoff +3 more

In this paper, we present a technique for magneto-optical cooling and trapping of neutral atoms using a single laser. The alternating-frequency magneto-optical trap (AF-MOT) uses an agile light source that sequentially switches between cooling and repumping transition frequencies by tuning the injection current of the laser diode. We report on the experimental demonstration of such a system for 87Rb and 85Rb based on a microintegrated extended cavity diode laser performing laser frequency jumps of up to 6.6 GHz with a tuning time in the microsecond regime and a repetition rate of up to 7.6 kHz. For that, a combination of a feed-forward for coarse frequency control and a feedback for precise locking was used. We discuss the results of the AF-MOT characterization in terms of atom numbers and cloud temperature for different operation parameters.

arXiv:1910.05540•Review of Scientific Instruments•Oct 1, 2019•4 citations

A Simple Experiment System for Laser Cooling and Trapping ~(87)Rb Atom

WU Haibin

In this paper, a simple setup of laser cooling and trapping of Rb atom is presented. By using the technique of injection locking, we have gained the cooling and trapping laser whose wavelength is 780 nm (single frequency, frequency fluctuation 2 MHz , tunable range~4.5 GHz), and output power is about 60 mW. With applying a magnetic field to the saturated absorption spectrum, the trapping laser frequency which is detuned a desired amount via Zeeman effect is locked. The cooling and trapping of Rb atom is obtained in the MOT.

Acta Sinica Quantum Optica•Jan 1, 2005•0 citations

Off-resonance laser frequency stabilization using the Faraday effect

A. L. Marchant, S. Händel, Timothy P. Wiles +3 more

We present a simple technique for stabilization of a laser frequency off resonance using the Faraday effect in a heated vapor cell with an applied magnetic field. In particular, we demonstrate stabilization of a 780 nm laser detuned up to 14 GHz from the (85)Rb D(2) 5(2)S(1/2) F = 2 to 5(2)P(3/2) F' = 3 transition. Control of the temperature of the vapor cell and the magnitude of the applied magnetic field allows locking ~6-14 GHz red and blue detuned from the atomic line. We obtain an rms fluctuation of 7 MHz over 1 h without stabilization of the cell temperature or magnetic field.

arXiv:1007.2531•Optics Letters•Dec 23, 2010•38 citations

Laser Frequency Stabilization for Narrow Linewidth Cooling of Lithium-6

Adam Reed

Laser cooling to micro-Kelvin temperatures requires a laser with active frequency stabilization. The linewidth of an atomic transition sets a lower bound on the Doppler cooling temperature. The 2s-2p transition in lithium-6 has a Doppler temperature of ~140 μK In contrast, the 2s-3p transition has a narrower linewidth and thus provides a lower temperature limit of ~20 μK. We present a method for stabilizing a laser to an atomic line in a vapor cell using modulation transfer spectroscopy and a home-built lock-in amplifier. Our results demonstrate successful locking of a 323 nm laser to the 2s-3p transition. The stabilized laser provides a second stage of magneto-optical trapping that results in a factor of ∼5 increase in the phase space density before evaporating to degeneracy in an optical dipole trap.

•Mar 1, 2011•0 citations
We report a frequency stabilization technique of a diode laser in a Doppler-free atomic transition used for obtaining the magneto-optical trapping of Rb atoms. This technique, based on side locking to an atomic transition using a servo controller, is very simple and can be implemented straightforwardly to lock the laser at the red detuned frequency position required for laser cooling experiments. The number of trapped atoms and the temperature of the cold cloud have been determined. The effect of trapping the magnetic field on the cloud radius has also been analyzed.
In this paper, we present a technique for magneto-optical cooling and trapping of neutral atoms using a single laser. The alternating-frequency magneto-optical trap (AF-MOT) uses an agile light source that sequentially switches between cooling and repumping transition frequencies by tuning the injection current of the laser diode. We report on the experimental demonstration of such a system for 87Rb and 85Rb based on a microintegrated extended cavity diode laser performing laser frequency jumps of up to 6.6 GHz with a tuning time in the microsecond regime and a repetition rate of up to 7.6 kHz. For that, a combination of a feed-forward for coarse frequency control and a feedback for precise locking was used. We discuss the results of the AF-MOT characterization in terms of atom numbers and cloud temperature for different operation parameters.
In this paper, a simple setup of laser cooling and trapping of Rb atom is presented. By using the technique of injection locking, we have gained the cooling and trapping laser whose wavelength is 780 nm (single frequency, frequency fluctuation 2 MHz , tunable range~4.5 GHz), and output power is about 60 mW. With applying a magnetic field to the saturated absorption spectrum, the trapping laser frequency which is detuned a desired amount via Zeeman effect is locked. The cooling and trapping of Rb atom is obtained in the MOT.
We present a simple technique for stabilization of a laser frequency off resonance using the Faraday effect in a heated vapor cell with an applied magnetic field. In particular, we demonstrate stabilization of a 780 nm laser detuned up to 14 GHz from the (85)Rb D(2) 5(2)S(1/2) F = 2 to 5(2)P(3/2) F' = 3 transition. Control of the temperature of the vapor cell and the magnitude of the applied magnetic field allows locking ~6-14 GHz red and blue detuned from the atomic line. We obtain an rms fluctuation of 7 MHz over 1 h without stabilization of the cell temperature or magnetic field.
Laser cooling to micro-Kelvin temperatures requires a laser with active frequency stabilization. The linewidth of an atomic transition sets a lower bound on the Doppler cooling temperature. The 2s-2p transition in lithium-6 has a Doppler temperature of ~140 μK In contrast, the 2s-3p transition has a narrower linewidth and thus provides a lower temperature limit of ~20 μK. We present a method for stabilizing a laser to an atomic line in a vapor cell using modulation transfer spectroscopy and a home-built lock-in amplifier. Our results demonstrate successful locking of a 323 nm laser to the 2s-3p transition. The stabilized laser provides a second stage of magneto-optical trapping that results in a factor of ∼5 increase in the phase space density before evaporating to degeneracy in an optical dipole trap.