Separation of atomic beams by light pressure

V. I. Balykin, Vladilen S Letokhov, A. I. Sidorov

Vladimir G. Minogin

Anthony F. Bernhardt, D. E. Duerre, J. R. Simpson +1 more

Spatial separation of isotopes of barium in an atomic beam has been demonstrated, using radiation pressure of light from a tunable dye laser which resolved the unusually narrow isotopic hyperfine structure of the Ba (I) 5535.7-Å resonance line. Observations of the deflected monoisotopic beam indicate an average of 25 photons scattered per atom in the deflected beam.

V. A. Grinchuk, A. P. Kazantsev, E. F. Kuzin +4 more

Arthur Ashkin

It is proposed to use the saturated value of the radiation pressure force on neutral atoms to produce a constant central force field to deflect atoms in circular orbits and make a high-resolution velocity analyzer. This is useful for studying the interaction of atoms with high-intensity monochromatic light, and to separate, velocity analyze, or trap neutral atoms of specific isotopic species or hyperfine level.

Crispin W. Gardiner