Physical Review A

Laser cooling and trapping of Ne metastable atoms

Fujio Shimizu, Kazuko Shimizu, Hiroshi Takuma

Published Mar 1, 1989• 63 citations

Abstract

A neon atomic beam in the metastable state 1${s}_{5}$ has been decelerated and trapped by the spontaneous light force of a resonant laser in a quadrupole magnetic field. Trapping has been achieved on all isotopes $^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$, $^{21}\mathrm{Ne}$, and $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}$ using a sample with natural abundance. For $^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$, approximately 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{7}$ atoms are trapped.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.39.2758

Related papers

Four-beam laser trap of neutral atoms

Fujio Shimizu, Kazuko Shimizu, Hiroshi Takuma

An efficient spontaneous-force laser trap of neutral atoms without standing waves is demonstrated by using the Ne 1s(5) metastable state. The metastable Ne beam is decelerated by a laser by using Zeeman tuning and is trapped in a trap consisting of a quadrupole magnetic field and four laserbeams in a tetrahedral configuration. The dynamics of atomic motion from the deceleration stage to the trap is discussed.

Optics LettersMar 1, 199184 citations

Laser cooling and trapping of argon metastable atomic beam

Juan Carlos Catala

Nov 21, 19980 citations

High-brightness ultra-cold metastable neon-beam

Fujio Shimizu

arXiv:1505.01567May 7, 20150 citations

Magneto-optical trapping of metastable xenon: Isotope-shift measurements

M. Walhout, Henry J. L. Megens, A. Witte +1 more

Physical Review AAug 1, 199370 citations

Laser Cooling of a Neon Atomic Beam in Metastable States

Fujio Shimizu, Kazuko Shimizu, Hiroshi Takuma

A neon atomic beam in the 1s5 (J=2) metastable level is cooled by a counterpropagating laser beam using 1s5-2p9 transition. By transferring the 1s5 population to the 1s3 (J=0) metastable level using the optical pumping through 2p2, a cooled 1s3 beam is also generated.

Japanese Journal of Applied PhysicsNov 1, 198719 citations

Heteronuclear collisions between laser-cooled metastable neon atoms

Jan Schütz, Thomas Feldker, Holger John +1 more

arXiv:1208.5719Physical Review AAug 24, 20124 citations

Physical Review A

Laser cooling and trapping of Ne metastable atoms

Fujio Shimizu, Kazuko Shimizu, Hiroshi Takuma

Published Mar 1, 1989• 63 citations

Publisher

Abstract

A neon atomic beam in the metastable state 1

{s}_{5}

has been decelerated and trapped by the spontaneous light force of a resonant laser in a quadrupole magnetic field. Trapping has been achieved on all isotopes

^{20}\mathrm{Ne}

^{21}\mathrm{Ne}

, and

^{22}\mathrm{Ne}

using a sample with natural abundance. For

^{20}\mathrm{Ne}

, approximately 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}

{10}^{7}

atoms are trapped.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.39.2758

Related papers

Four-beam laser trap of neutral atoms

Fujio Shimizu, Kazuko Shimizu, Hiroshi Takuma

Optics LettersMar 1, 199184 citations

Laser cooling and trapping of argon metastable atomic beam

Juan Carlos Catala

The high velocity of free atoms associated with the thermal motion, together with the velocity distribution of atoms has imposed the ultimate limitation on the precision of ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy. A sample consisting of low velocity atoms would provide a substantial improvement in spectroscopy resolution. To overcome the problem of thermal motion, atomic physicists have pursued two goals; first, the reduction of the thermal motion (cooling); and second, the confinement of the atoms by means of electromagnetic fields (trapping). Cooling carried sufficiently far, eliminates the motional problems, whereas trapping allows for long observation times. In this work the laser cooling and trapping of an argon atomic beam will be discussed. The experiments involve a time-of-flight spectroscopy on metastable argon atoms. Laser deceleration or cooling of atoms is achieved by counter propagating a photon against an atomic beam of metastable atoms. The solution to the Doppler shift problem is achieved using spatially varying magnetic field along the beam path to Zeeman shift the atomic resonance frequency so as to keep the atoms in resonance with a fixed frequency cooling laser. For trapping experiments a Magnetooptical trap (MOT) will be used. The MOT is formed by three pairs of counter-propagating laser beams with mutual opposite circular polarization and a frequency tuned slightly below the center of the atomic resonance and superimposed on a magnetic quadrupole field.The high velocity of free atoms associated with the thermal motion, together with the velocity distribution of atoms has imposed the ultimate limitation on the precision of ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy. A sample consisting of low velocity atoms would provide a substantial improvement in spectroscopy resolution. To overcome the problem of thermal motion, atomic physicists have pursued two goals; first, the reduction of the thermal motion (cooling); and second, the confinement of the atoms by means of electromagnetic fields (trapping). Cooling carried sufficiently far, eliminates the motional problems, whereas trapping allows for long observation times. In this work the laser cooling and trapping of an argon atomic beam will be discussed. The experiments involve a time-of-flight spectroscopy on metastable argon atoms. Laser deceleration or cooling of atoms is achieved by counter propagating a photon against an atomic beam of metastable atoms. The solution to the Doppler shift problem is achieved using spatially varying magnetic field along the beam path to Zeeman shift the atomic resonance frequency so as to keep the atoms in resonance with a fixed frequency cooling laser. For trapping experiments a Magnetooptical trap (MOT) will be used. The MOT is formed by three pairs of counter-propagating laser beams with mutual opposite circular polarization and a frequency tuned slightly below the center of the atomic resonance and superimposed on a magnetic quadrupole field.

Nov 21, 19980 citations

High-brightness ultra-cold metastable neon-beam

Fujio Shimizu

This paper presents detailed characteristics of an ultra-cold bright metastable neon atomic beam which we have been using for atom-interferometric applications. The basis of the device is an atomic beam released from a magneto-optical trap (MOT) which is operated with a high intensity trapping laser, high magnetic quadrupole field, and large laser detuining. Mainly due to the complex structure of three dimensional magnetic field and laser beams, a bright small spot of atoms is formed near the center of the quadrupole magnetic field under an appropriate operating condition. We obtained the minimum trap diameter of 50 micron meter, the atomic density nearly 10^{13}cm^{-3}, and the atomic temperature slightly less than the Doppler limited temperature of 200 micro-K. By releasing trapped atoms we obtained an bright cold atomic beam which is not far from the collision limited atomic density.This paper presents detailed characteristics of an ultra-cold bright metastable neon atomic beam which we have been using for atom-interferometric applications. The basis of the device is an atomic beam released from a magneto-optical trap (MOT) which is operated with a high intensity trapping laser, high magnetic quadrupole field, and large laser detuining. Mainly due to the complex structure of three dimensional magnetic field and laser beams, a bright small spot of atoms is formed near the center of the quadrupole magnetic field under an appropriate operating condition. We obtained the minimum trap diameter of 50 micron meter, the atomic density nearly 10^{13}cm^{-3}, and the atomic temperature slightly less than the Doppler limited temperature of 200 micro-K. By releasing trapped atoms we obtained an bright cold atomic beam which is not far from the collision limited atomic density.

arXiv:1505.01567May 7, 20150 citations

Magneto-optical trapping of metastable xenon: Isotope-shift measurements

M. Walhout, Henry J. L. Megens, A. Witte +1 more

We have magneto-optically trapped the nine stable isotopes of xenon. Using the Zeeman slowing method to decelerate a beam of xenon atoms in the metastable 6s 3/2 [3/2 ${]}_{2}$ state (notation representing nl ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathrm{core}}$ [K= ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathrm{core}}$ +l ${]}_{\mathit{J}}$ ), we load our trap to a collisionally limited density of more than ${10}^{10}$ atoms/ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ . The two odd isotopes are trapped without a repumping frequency, even though they have hyperfine structure. The sensitivity of the trapping process to the laser frequency is exploited to make accurate measurements of the isotope shifts for the 6s 3/2 [3/2 ${]}_{2}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p 3/2 [5/2 ${]}_{3}$ laser-cooling transition and of the hyperfine constants for $^{131}\mathrm{Xe}$ .We have magneto-optically trapped the nine stable isotopes of xenon. Using the Zeeman slowing method to decelerate a beam of xenon atoms in the metastable 6s 3/2 [3/2${]}_{2}$ state (notation representing nl ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathrm{core}}$ [K=${\mathit{J}}_{\mathrm{core}}$+l${]}_{\mathit{J}}$), we load our trap to a collisionally limited density of more than ${10}^{10}$ atoms/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$. The two odd isotopes are trapped without a repumping frequency, even though they have hyperfine structure. The sensitivity of the trapping process to the laser frequency is exploited to make accurate measurements of the isotope shifts for the 6s 3/2 [3/2${]}_{2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p 3/2 [5/2${]}_{3}$ laser-cooling transition and of the hyperfine constants for $^{131}\mathrm{Xe}$.

Physical Review AAug 1, 199370 citations

Laser Cooling of a Neon Atomic Beam in Metastable States

Fujio Shimizu, Kazuko Shimizu, Hiroshi Takuma

Japanese Journal of Applied PhysicsNov 1, 198719 citations

Heteronuclear collisions between laser-cooled metastable neon atoms

Jan Schütz, Thomas Feldker, Holger John +1 more

We investigate heteronuclear collisions in isotope mixtures of laser-cooled metastable ( ${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{2}$ ) neon. Experiments are performed with spin-polarized atoms in a magnetic trap for all two-isotope combinations of the stable neon isotopes ${}^{20}$ Ne, ${}^{21}$ Ne, and ${}^{22}$ Ne. We determine the rate coefficients for heteronuclear ionizing collisions to ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{21,20}=(3.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm ${}^{3}$ /s, ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{22,20}=(2.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm ${}^{3}$ /s, and ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{21,22}=(3.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.9)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm ${}^{3}$ /s. We also study heteronuclear elastic collision processes and give upper bounds for heteronuclear thermal relaxation cross sections. This work significantly extends the limited available experimental data on heteronuclear ionizing collisions for laser-cooled atoms involving one or more rare gas atoms in a metastable state.We investigate heteronuclear collisions in isotope mixtures of laser-cooled metastable (${}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{2}$) neon. Experiments are performed with spin-polarized atoms in a magnetic trap for all two-isotope combinations of the stable neon isotopes ${}^{20}$Ne, ${}^{21}$Ne, and ${}^{22}$Ne. We determine the rate coefficients for heteronuclear ionizing collisions to ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{21,20}=(3.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm${}^{3}$/s, ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{22,20}=(2.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm${}^{3}$/s, and ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{21,22}=(3.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.9)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm${}^{3}$/s. We also study heteronuclear elastic collision processes and give upper bounds for heteronuclear thermal relaxation cross sections. This work significantly extends the limited available experimental data on heteronuclear ionizing collisions for laser-cooled atoms involving one or more rare gas atoms in a metastable state.

arXiv:1208.5719Physical Review AAug 24, 20124 citations

A neon atomic beam in the metastable state 1

{s}_{5}

has been decelerated and trapped by the spontaneous light force of a resonant laser in a quadrupole magnetic field. Trapping has been achieved on all isotopes

^{20}\mathrm{Ne}

^{21}\mathrm{Ne}

, and

^{22}\mathrm{Ne}

using a sample with natural abundance. For

^{20}\mathrm{Ne}

, approximately 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}

{10}^{7}

atoms are trapped.

We have magneto-optically trapped the nine stable isotopes of xenon. Using the Zeeman slowing method to decelerate a beam of xenon atoms in the metastable 6s 3/2 [3/2

{]}_{2}

state (notation representing nl

{\mathit{J}}_{\mathrm{core}}

[K=

{\mathit{J}}_{\mathrm{core}}

{]}_{\mathit{J}}

), we load our trap to a collisionally limited density of more than

{10}^{10}

atoms/

{\mathrm{cm}}^{3}

. The two odd isotopes are trapped without a repumping frequency, even though they have hyperfine structure. The sensitivity of the trapping process to the laser frequency is exploited to make accurate measurements of the isotope shifts for the 6s 3/2 [3/2

{]}_{2}

\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p 3/2 [5/2

{]}_{3}

laser-cooling transition and of the hyperfine constants for

^{131}\mathrm{Xe}

We investigate heteronuclear collisions in isotope mixtures of laser-cooled metastable (

{}^{3}\phantom{\rule{-0.16em}{0ex}}{P}_{2}

) neon. Experiments are performed with spin-polarized atoms in a magnetic trap for all two-isotope combinations of the stable neon isotopes

{}^{20}

Ne,

{}^{21}

Ne, and

{}^{22}

Ne. We determine the rate coefficients for heteronuclear ionizing collisions to ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{21,20}=(3.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm

{}^{3}

/s, ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{22,20}=(2.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm

{}^{3}

/s, and ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{21,22}=(3.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.9)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}$ cm

{}^{3}

/s. We also study heteronuclear elastic collision processes and give upper bounds for heteronuclear thermal relaxation cross sections. This work significantly extends the limited available experimental data on heteronuclear ionizing collisions for laser-cooled atoms involving one or more rare gas atoms in a metastable state.