Atoms, Light, and Lasers

Andrew S. Milman

A. Hatakeyama

Light-induced atom desorption (LIAD) of alkali-metal atoms in alkali-metal vapor cells can be used to quickly increase the vapor density. It is particularly useful as a source for laser-cooled atoms. We review the studies of LIAD for alkali-metal atoms, with particular attention to its application to laser cooling experiments. We show clear differences in LIAD properties for quartz and Pyrex substrates, which are widely used materials in laser-cooling cells.

Stig Stenholm

We consider the mechanical forces exerted on atoms by light as a tool to make the atom more concrete as a particle. It can be pushed, trapped and observed in its own scattered light. Recent theoretical and experimental progress in the field of cooling and trapping of atoms demonstrates their palpable reality. The theory of the mechanical manifestations of light is reviewed, and its application to laser cooling is discussed. Traps for atoms are considered. The feasibility of pure light traps is discussed, and the use of other types of traps in laser applications is reviewed. We present briefly the main experiments proving the possibility of laser cooling and trapping. A brief discussion of applications and future experimental possibilities is given.

Amit Goswami

Bill Grubbs

Li Jin, Chao Hang, Yanyi Jiang +5 more

Laser light with spectral purity and frequency stability is pursued in precision spectroscopy and precision measurements. We propose a scheme to generate millihertz-linewidth laser light with a frequency instability of 10−18 via optical four-wave mixing in alkaline-earth atoms. We show that the linewidth of the mixing laser light is ultimately limited by the natural linewidth of the atomic transition rather than by the linewidth of the input lasers. The frequency stability of the mixing laser light depends largely on the intensity stability of the input lasers. It is possible to generate a millihertz-linewidth laser light with a frequency instability of 10−18 and a power of 10−12 W when the input lasers with a relative intensity instability of 10−4 and a spectral width of 1 Hz interact with strontium (Sr) atoms with a density of 1 × 1011 cm−3.