Studied in this work is the cooling of a beam of sodium atoms upon its reflection from an evanescent light wave. The cooling mechanism is associated with the spontaneous transitions of the atoms between the hyperflne-structure sublevels of the ground state. Subject to studies is the relationship between the reflection angle of the atoms and the frequency detuning and intensity of the light wave. It is demonstrated experimentally that the transverse atomic momentum component can be reduced by more than one half (A p I/p I = 0.5) . a single reflection event, the number of cooled atoms in the reflected beam exceeding 50%. It should be noted that the loss of atoms in reflection can be made as small as desired, and so the reflection cooling cycle can be repeated many times over.Studied in this work is the cooling of a beam of sodium atoms upon its reflection from an evanescent light wave. The cooling mechanism is associated with the spontaneous transitions of the atoms between the hyperflne-structure sublevels of the ground state. Subject to studies is the relationship between the reflection angle of the atoms and the frequency detuning and intensity of the light wave. It is demonstrated experimentally that the transverse atomic momentum component can be reduced by more than one half (A p I/p I = 0.5) . a single reflection event, the number of cooled atoms in the reflected beam exceeding 50%. It should be noted that the loss of atoms in reflection can be made as small as desired, and so the reflection cooling cycle can be repeated many times over.

Jan 1, 19970 citations

Cooling of atoms reflected from an evanescent light wave

D. V. Laryushin, Yu. B. Ovchinnikov, V. I. Balykin +1 more

The first experimental observation of the sisyphus cooling in an evanescent light wave was carried out. We have observed a reduction of the transverse energy of Na atoms in a beam upon its reflection from the evanescent light wave, associated with the optical pumping between sublevels of the hyperfine structure of the atomic ground state. The initial transverse momentum of 42 $HBARk has been reduced to 28$ HBARk in a single reflection event.The first experimental observation of the sisyphus cooling in an evanescent light wave was carried out. We have observed a reduction of the transverse energy of Na atoms in a beam upon its reflection from the evanescent light wave, associated with the optical pumping between sublevels of the hyperfine structure of the atomic ground state. The initial transverse momentum of 42 $HBARk has been reduced to 28$HBARk in a single reflection event.

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

HBARk has been reduced to 28

HBARk in a single reflection event.