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

Physical Review A

Simultaneous trapping of two different atomic species in a vapor-cell magneto-optical trap

Moises S. Santos, P. Nussenzveig, Luís Gustavo Marcassa, Kristian Helmerson, J.P. Flemming, Sérgio Carlos Zílio, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato

Published Dec 1, 1995• 61 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have produced a magneto-optical trap that simultaneously confines two different atomic species: sodium and potassium. A measurement of the sodium trap loss rate constant due to collisions with cold potassium atoms was performed. We extract this rate constant by measuring the temporal behavior of the loading process of the sodium trap in the presence and absence of cold potassium. The constant that is obtained can be qualitatively explained using simple existing models. Future applications of simultaneous trapping are discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.52.r4340

Related papers

Simultaneous trapping of two different atomic species in a vapor cell MOT

Mafalda S. Santos, P. Nussenzveig, Luís Gustavo Marcassa +4 more

Summary form only given. All the experiments and theories describing atomic traps and cold collisions have considered only homonuclear systems. Cold collisions involving different atomic species open up new and exciting possibilities, including high-resolution studies of heteronuclear molecular band formation. We have carried out an experiment on the simultaneous magneto-optical trapping of two alkali atoms: Na and K. Collisional rate constant of trap loss resulting from cross atomic collisions was investigated through the transient loading of the trap.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jun 7, 1996•0 citations

Collisional loss rate in a magneto-optical trap for sodium atoms: Light-intensity dependence

Luís Gustavo Marcassa, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato, Yang Wang +5 more

We have measured the total collisional loss rate for ultracold sodium atoms held in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) as a function of light intensity in the trap. We extract the rate constant for collisional loss by measuring the temporal behavior of MOT loading from background vapor. The loss rate increases with light intensity in satisfactory agreement with new calculations, which are also presented. The results are interpreted in terms of detailed collision processes.

Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1993•82 citations

Magneto-optical trapping and ultracold collisions of potassium atoms

R. S. Williamson, Thad G Walker

We present measurements of loading and loss rates for a vapor-cell optical trap of the two naturally occurring potassium isotopes 39K and 41K. The unresolved excited-state hyperfine structure makes trapping of K fundamentally different from trapping of the other alkalis and leads to an enhanced loading rate. We measure the loading rate as a function of laser intensity, beam size, and detuning and find that the results are in reasonable agreement with a simple rate-equation model for the loading process. The dependence of the loss rate on trapped-atom density determines the contribution to the loss rates from excited-state collisions. We find a substantial difference between the collisional loss rates for the two isotopes.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Aug 1, 1995•47 citations

Interactions between laser-cooled lithium and sodium atoms in a magneto-optical trap (Invited Paper)

Laurentius Windholz

Storing and cooling simultaneously lithium and sodium atoms in a two-species magneto-optical trap, rate coefficients for collisions between these two atomic species were determined. The experiments were performed at different trap depths, thus for Li atoms the trap losses due to finestructure changing collisions could be distinguished from losses due to radiative escape. The rate coefficient for collisions between sodium and lithium atoms shows also a step when increasing the trap depth. The formation of cold heteronuclear molecules is claimed.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Apr 22, 2005•0 citations

Two-species cold atomic beam

Nathan E. Lundblad, David C. Aveline, Robert J. Thompson +6 more

We generate a bright atomic beam containing laser-cooled rubidium and cesium, and we use this beam to load a mixed-species ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) magneto-optical trap. We have characterized our two-species atomic beam over a range of operating conditions, and we obtain similar atom fluxes for each species. Within the UHV trap, interspecies inelastic collisions are observed in the form of enhanced decay rates of a given species in the presence of a second trapped species. We analyze the trap decays to obtain a loss rate due to heteronuclear cold collisions, and we compare our result to similar measurements in vapor-cell traps [Phys. Rev. A 63, 033406 (2001)].

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jan 1, 2004•11 citations

Studies of cold collisions in trapped alkali mixture

Gustavo Deczka Telles, Luís Gustavo Marcassa, Sérgio Ricardo Muniz +5 more

Summary form only given. We have developed a new vapor cell for a magneto-optical trap (MOT) that has the capability of trapping two different species simultaneously and independently. Currently, we can trap any pair involving two of the following atoms: Na, K, Rb, and Cs. Our experimental setup consists of a cylindrical stainless steel chamber with four reservoirs. These independent reservoirs allow us to pick the species to be investigated.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Nov 27, 2002•0 citations
We have produced a magneto-optical trap that simultaneously confines two different atomic species: sodium and potassium. A measurement of the sodium trap loss rate constant due to collisions with cold potassium atoms was performed. We extract this rate constant by measuring the temporal behavior of the loading process of the sodium trap in the presence and absence of cold potassium. The constant that is obtained can be qualitatively explained using simple existing models. Future applications of simultaneous trapping are discussed.
Summary form only given. All the experiments and theories describing atomic traps and cold collisions have considered only homonuclear systems. Cold collisions involving different atomic species open up new and exciting possibilities, including high-resolution studies of heteronuclear molecular band formation. We have carried out an experiment on the simultaneous magneto-optical trapping of two alkali atoms: Na and K. Collisional rate constant of trap loss resulting from cross atomic collisions was investigated through the transient loading of the trap.
We present measurements of loading and loss rates for a vapor-cell optical trap of the two naturally occurring potassium isotopes 39K and 41K. The unresolved excited-state hyperfine structure makes trapping of K fundamentally different from trapping of the other alkalis and leads to an enhanced loading rate. We measure the loading rate as a function of laser intensity, beam size, and detuning and find that the results are in reasonable agreement with a simple rate-equation model for the loading process. The dependence of the loss rate on trapped-atom density determines the contribution to the loss rates from excited-state collisions. We find a substantial difference between the collisional loss rates for the two isotopes.
Storing and cooling simultaneously lithium and sodium atoms in a two-species magneto-optical trap, rate coefficients for collisions between these two atomic species were determined. The experiments were performed at different trap depths, thus for Li atoms the trap losses due to finestructure changing collisions could be distinguished from losses due to radiative escape. The rate coefficient for collisions between sodium and lithium atoms shows also a step when increasing the trap depth. The formation of cold heteronuclear molecules is claimed.
We generate a bright atomic beam containing laser-cooled rubidium and cesium, and we use this beam to load a mixed-species ultrahigh-vacuum (UHV) magneto-optical trap. We have characterized our two-species atomic beam over a range of operating conditions, and we obtain similar atom fluxes for each species. Within the UHV trap, interspecies inelastic collisions are observed in the form of enhanced decay rates of a given species in the presence of a second trapped species. We analyze the trap decays to obtain a loss rate due to heteronuclear cold collisions, and we compare our result to similar measurements in vapor-cell traps [Phys. Rev. A 63, 033406 (2001)].