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

Focus: Reflections of an Atom

Corinna Wu

Aug 1, 20060 citations

Beyond the Atom

John P. Cox

Aug 1, 20110 citations

Quantum-State-Selective Mirror Reflection of Atoms by Laser Light

V. I. Balykin, Vladilen S Letokhov, Yu. B. Ovchinnikov +1 more

We have demonstrated the specular reflection of Na atoms at a nonuniform laser field, the reflection coefficient of the "atomic mirror" being close to 100%. A specific feature of the reflection process is its quantum-state-selective character. The experimentally measured reflection selectivity (the ratio between the reflection coefficients of the sodium atoms in the ground-state sublevels with $F=2$ and $F=1$ was around 100.We have demonstrated the specular reflection of Na atoms at a nonuniform laser field, the reflection coefficient of the "atomic mirror" being close to 100%. A specific feature of the reflection process is its quantum-state-selective character. The experimentally measured reflection selectivity (the ratio between the reflection coefficients of the sodium atoms in the ground-state sublevels with $F=2$ and $F=1$ was around 100.

Physical Review LettersMay 23, 1988206 citations

Quantum reflection of atoms from a periodic dipole potential

N. Friedman, Roee Ozeri, Nir Davidson

Quantum reflection of neutral atoms from a periodic far-detuned dipole potential is proposed and analyzed. This periodic atom mirror relies on constructive interference of small reflections from each cell to yield a high reflection coefficient even for very weak potentials. The reflected energy spectrum is calculated as a function of the potential height and the number of cells for both positive and negative potentials, and its relation to the reflection from one potential cell is derived. Two ways of increasing the reflection bandwidth, one based on changing the envelope of the potential and the other on changing its period gradually (chirp), are investigated. The phase of the reflected atoms and its dependence on experimental parameters are calculated, as well as the interaction time of the atoms with the potential and the spontaneous-emission rate during the reflection. Finally, it is shown that atoms with velocities of a few tens mm/s can be coherently reflected from a negative periodic potential with readily available laser diodes.Quantum reflection of neutral atoms from a periodic far-detuned dipole potential is proposed and analyzed. This periodic atom mirror relies on constructive interference of small reflections from each cell to yield a high reflection coefficient even for very weak potentials. The reflected energy spectrum is calculated as a function of the potential height and the number of cells for both positive and negative potentials, and its relation to the reflection from one potential cell is derived. Two ways of increasing the reflection bandwidth, one based on changing the envelope of the potential and the other on changing its period gradually (chirp), are investigated. The phase of the reflected atoms and its dependence on experimental parameters are calculated, as well as the interaction time of the atoms with the potential and the spontaneous-emission rate during the reflection. Finally, it is shown that atoms with velocities of a few tens mm/s can be coherently reflected from a negative periodic potential with readily available laser diodes.

Journal of the Optical Society of America BJun 1, 199821 citations

Probing the Atom

Mark P. Silverman

Princeton University Press eBooksApr 13, 20210 citations

F=2

and

F=1

was around 100.