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Chinese Optics Letters

Cold atoms passing through a thin laser beam: a Fourier optics approach

Shuyu Zhou, Jun Qian, Shanchao Zhang, Yuzhu Wang

Published Jan 1, 2016• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A Fourier optics approach can be a concise and powerful tool to solve problems in atom optics. In this report, we adopt it to investigate the kinetic behavior of cold atoms passing through a far red-detuned Gaussian beam. We demonstrate that the aberration has significant influence on the evolution of the atomic cloud, which is rooted in the deviation of the Gaussian profile from the quadratic form. In particular, we observe an intriguing effect analogous to Fresnel's double prism with cold atoms. The experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical simulation.

DOI
10.3788/col201614.070202

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A Fourier optics approach can be a concise and powerful tool to solve problems in atom optics. In this report, we adopt it to investigate the kinetic behavior of cold atoms passing through a far red-detuned Gaussian beam. We demonstrate that the aberration has significant influence on the evolution of the atomic cloud, which is rooted in the deviation of the Gaussian profile from the quadratic form. In particular, we observe an intriguing effect analogous to Fresnel's double prism with cold atoms. The experimental results are in good agreement with the numerical simulation.
We have demonstrated an atom-optical lens, with the advantage of a small scale and flexible adjustment of the parameters, realized by a far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the cold atomic cloud. The one-dimensional transverse focusing effect of cold atomic clouds at the temperature order of 1 μμμK freely falling through the atom-optical lens on the micron scale have been studied theoretically and then verified experimentally. It is found that theory and experiment are in good agreement.
This work has theoretically studied the optical properties, such as the object-image relation and the focal length of the atom-optical lens created by far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the atomic cloud. Furthermore we have thoroughly studied the collimation effect when the cold atomic clouds passing through the laser beam. The effective transverse temperature can reach tens nanokelvin, which is far smaller than that by 1D polarization gradient cooling.
This work has theoretically studied the optical properties, such as the object-image relation and the focal length of the atom-optical lens created by far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the atomic cloud. Furthermore we have thoroughly studied the collimation effect when the cold atomic clouds passing through the laser beam. The effective transverse temperature can reach tens nanokelvin, which is far smaller than that by 1D polarization gradient cooling.
The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the vertical guiding laser beam waist on cold atom guiding efficiency. In this study, a double magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus is used. With an unbalanced force in the horizontal direction, a cold atomic beam is generated by the first MOT. The cold atoms enter the second chamber and are then re-trapped and cooled by the second MOT. By releasing a second atom cloud, the process of transferring the cold atoms from MOT to the dipole trap, which is formed by a red-detuned converged 1064-nm laser, is experimentally demonstrated. And after releasing for 20 ms, the atom cloud is guided to a distance of approximately 3 mm. As indicated by the results, the guiding efficiency depends strongly on the laser beam waist; the efficiency reaches a maximum when the waist radius (w0) of the laser is in the range of 15 to 25 μm, while the initial atom cloud has a radius of 133 μm. Additionally, the properties of the atoms inside the dipole potential trap, such as the distribution profile and lifetime, are deduced from the fluorescence images.
We report the observation of the optomechanical strain applied to thermal and to quantum degenerate 87Rb^{87}Rb87Rb atomic clouds when illuminated by an intense, far detuned homogeneous laser beam. In this regime the atomic cloud acts as a lens which focuses the laser beam. As a back action, the atoms experience a force opposite to the beam deflection, which depends on the atomic cloud density profile. We experimentally demonstrate the basic features of this force, distinguishing it from the well-established scattering and dipole forces. The observed strain saturates, ultimately limiting the momentum impulse that can be transferred to the atoms. This optomechanical force may effectively induce inter-particle interactions, which can be optically tuned.