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Journal of the Physical Society of Japan

Ionizing Collisions in the Optical Lattice of Metastable Krypton and Argon Atoms

T. Ido, Hideyuki Kunugita

Published May 15, 1999• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Ionizing collisional loss rate of the metastable argon and krypton atoms in an optical lattice is compared with the rate of atoms in free space as a function of lattice laser detuning. Contrary to a simple picture of the isolation of atoms by the lattice potential, our experimental result shows that the collision rate in optical lattice is always larger than that in free space except at a large laser detuning of ∼10 3 transition linewidth. Comparing the experimental result with the theoretical values that are derived from the classical trajectory calculation of the atom, we found that the optical pumping to non-trapped adiabatic potential surface prevents the collision suppression because it keeps the number of non-trapped atoms to a finite value even at low excitation rate.

DOI
10.1143/jpsj.68.1548

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Ionizing collisional loss rate of the metastable argon and krypton atoms in an optical lattice is compared with the rate of atoms in free space as a function of lattice laser detuning. Contrary to a simple picture of the isolation of atoms by the lattice potential, our experimental result shows that the collision rate in optical lattice is always larger than that in free space except at a large laser detuning of ∼10 3 transition linewidth. Comparing the experimental result with the theoretical values that are derived from the classical trajectory calculation of the atom, we found that the optical pumping to non-trapped adiabatic potential surface prevents the collision suppression because it keeps the number of non-trapped atoms to a finite value even at low excitation rate.
Ionizing collisional rate of metastable krypton and argon atoms in an optical lattice klattice{k}_{\mathrm{lattice}}klattice​ is compared with that in free space kfree{k}_{\mathrm{free}}kfree​. Reduction of the collisional rate is observed for krypton atoms. However, the magnitude of reduction is no more than a factor of 2 at the laser detuning of 7 GHz. The ratio klattice/kfree{k}_{\mathrm{lattice}}/{k}_{\mathrm{free}}klattice​/kfree​ is found to change proportional to the square root of the excitation rate of atoms from the 1s5{1s}_{5}1s5​ metastable state to the 2p9{2p}_{9}2p9​ state by the lattice laser. The mechanism that prevents a larger reduction is discussed.
In a three-dimensional optical lattice for metastable xenon we observe the dynamical effects of the optical potential on Penning ionizing collisions between atoms. Enhancement of collisions over that for free atoms is observed at short times after the atoms are loaded into the lattice. After the atoms thermalize and localize into the potential wells, we observe a suppression of the collisions by as much as a factor of 2. From our measurements and a simple model we are able to extract an estimate of the rate at which atoms ``hop'' between wells.
The line shape of laser-induced ionizing collisions of ultracold Kr gas is investigated near the 1s5[4p55s:3P2]{1s}_{5}[4p^{5}5s:^{3}P_{2}]1s5​[4p55s:3P2​] and 2p9[4p55p:3D3]{2p}_{9}[4p^{5}5p:^{3}D_{3}]2p9​[4p55p:3D3​] transition. The rate increases several times when the laser is red tuned by a few times of the natural width, while it sharply decreases for a slight blue detuning. This frequency dependence of the collision rate is due to the collision dynamics characteristic of ultracold atoms in a near-resonant light. Our experimental results on metastable Kr atoms show a good qualitative agreement with semiclassical Monte Carlo simulation of the cold collision dynamics.
We present results for controlled optical collisions of cold, metastable Ne atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The modification of the ionizing collision rate is demonstrated using a control laser tuned close to the (3s)3P2 to (3p)3D3 cooling transition. The measured ionization spectrum does not contain resonances due to the formation of photoassociated molecules connected to the omega = 5 excited state potential as predicted by Doery et al (1998 Phys. Rev. A 57 3603-20). Instead, we observe a broad unresolvable ionization spectrum that is well described by established theory (Gallagher and Pritchard 1989 Phys. Rev. Lett. 63 957). In order to induce collisions between pairs of trapped metastables, a control laser is tuned to the red of the transition where we measure a factor of 4 increase in the rate for ionizing collisions. We also investigate the effect of optical shielding by tuning the laser to the blue of the transition and observe a factor of 5 suppression in the ionization rate.
Measurements of the temperature dependence of trap loss collisions of laser-cooled rubidium atoms are presented. A significant suppression of the rate of collisions between ground- and excited-state atoms is observed for temperatures below $\\sim$70 mu\\mumuK. In such inelastic collisions, the atomic excitation takes place at long range and must survive against spontaneous decay to short range. Our results are consistent with recent predictions for the low temperature suppression of these collisions due to reduced survival of atomic excitation at low collision velocities.^ We report on measurements of trap loss collisions between ultracold Rb atoms which are confined in a magneto-optical trap. Both isotopes sp85\\sp{85}sp85Rb and sp87\\sp{87}sp87Rb have been studied over wide range of trap laser intensities and detunings. The trap loss collision rates exhibit variations over 3 orders of magnitude. We observe significant differences between the isotopes. At large detunings the ability of the trap to recapture products of the hyperfine-changing collisions is significantly diminished. This finding is supported by our numerical simulations of the recapture process. The trap loss rates due to collisions with room temperature background gas have also been measured.^ Using laser light tuned to a repulsive molecular potential, we have been able to suppress inelastic ground-state hyperfine changing collisions between ultracold sp87\\sp{87}sp87Rb atoms. Adiabatic excitation to the repulsive curve alters the atomic trajectories and prevents the atoms from approaching close enough for the hyperfine change to occur. Experimental results show suppressions up to $\\sim$50% and are in reasonable agreement with a simple Landau-Zener model.^ Finally, we have observed a significant cooperative effect in ultracold trap loss collisions induced by two separate lasers. One laser, tuned close to the atomic resonance, excites the atom pair to an attractive potential at long range. The resulting acceleration and deflection give rise to an enhancement in the collisional flux of ground-state atoms reaching short range, as probed by a second laser. Enhancements up to a factor of $\\sim$3 have been observed. ^
This thesis presents investigations into the collision dynamics of cold metastable neon atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). At very cold temperatures (approx. 1 mK) the atomic interaction occurs at long range and cannot be treated classically as the interaction between two nuclear point particles. In addition, the collision dynamics can be considerably altered in the presence of an optical eld. In this thesis results are presented for collisions that are altered by the presence of an optical eld and also collisions where the optical eld can be neglected. Controlled optical collisions of cold, metastable Ne atoms are performed by using a control laser tuned close to the (3s)3P2 to (3p)3D3 cooling transition. The control laser modies the rate of ionizing collisions by promoting a pair of colliding atoms onto an excited state potential. In order to induce collisions between pairs of trapped metastables, a control laser is tuned to the red of the transition where we measure a factor of 4 increase in the rate for ionizing collisions. We also investigate the eect of optical shielding by tuning the laser to the blue of the transition and observe a factor of 5 suppression in the ionization rate. However, the measured ionization spectrum does not contain resonances due to the formation of photoassociated molecules as predicted by Doery et al [1]. Instead, we observe a broad unresolvable ionization spectrum that is well described by established theory [2]. Collision cross sections are measured for neon in the (3s)3P2 metastable state with ground state, thermal atoms and molecules. The technique is based on the measurement of the loss rate due to collisions with a background gas. Generally, these type of collisions are considered undesirable, however, it is possible to infer information about the collision cross section if the rate of collisions is accurately known. This novel technique is described and collision cross section measurements are presented for metastable neon in the (3s)3P2 state with He, Ne, Ar, H2, O2, and N2. The average thermal energy of the collision ranges from 11 meV to 27 meV and the measurements have relatively small errors, of the order of 10%.