In many experiments involving a magneto-optical trap (MOT) it is of great importance to know the fraction of atoms placed in an excited state due to the trapping process. Generally speaking, researchers have had to use overly simplistic and untested models to estimate this fraction. In this work, the excited fractions of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms in a MOT are directly measured using a charge transfer technique, for a range of MOT parameters. Simple models are then fit to the measured fractions. Using the results of this work, the excited fraction of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms trapped in a MOT can be accurately estimated with knowledge of only the trapping laser intensity and detuning. The results are, at most, only weakly dependent on other MOT parameters.In many experiments involving a magneto-optical trap (MOT) it is of great importance to know the fraction of atoms placed in an excited state due to the trapping process. Generally speaking, researchers have had to use overly simplistic and untested models to estimate this fraction. In this work, the excited fractions of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms in a MOT are directly measured using a charge transfer technique, for a range of MOT parameters. Simple models are then fit to the measured fractions. Using the results of this work, the excited fraction of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms trapped in a MOT can be accurately estimated with knowledge of only the trapping laser intensity and detuning. The results are, at most, only weakly dependent on other MOT parameters.

Physical Review AMay 31, 200735 citations

Achieving a Stable Magneto-Optical Trap

Chasen S Himeda

Jan 1, 20180 citations

Novel, Retroreflective, Magneto-Optical Trap Near a Surface

Jonathan Trossman, Zigeng Liu, Ming-Feng Tu +3 more

We report on a novel Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) geometry involving the retroreflection of one of the six MOT beams in order to create an atom cloud close to the surface of a prism which does not have optical access along one axis. A MOT of Rb $^{85}$ with $\sim 4 \times 10^7$ atoms can be created 700 um from the surface. The MOT lies close to the minimum of an evanescent Gravito-Optical Surface Trap (GOST) allowing for transfer into the GOST with potentially minimal losses.We report on a novel Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) geometry involving the retroreflection of one of the six MOT beams in order to create an atom cloud close to the surface of a prism which does not have optical access along one axis. A MOT of Rb$^{85}$ with $\sim 4 \times 10^7$ atoms can be created 700 um from the surface. The MOT lies close to the minimum of an evanescent Gravito-Optical Surface Trap (GOST) allowing for transfer into the GOST with potentially minimal losses.

arXiv:1510.08081Oct 27, 20151 citation

Characteristics of a 2-D Magneto-Optical-Trap

Christiane Ebongue, Eric Magnan, Pablo Solano +2 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyOct 4, 20140 citations

Laser Cooling below the Doppler Limit in a Magneto-Optical Trap

Andrew M. Steane, Christopher J. Foot

We have measured the spring constant, friction parameter, and temperature of the motion of caesium atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The results are very different from those predicted by models based on the scattering force, which have been used up to now. We show that the behaviour can be understood in terms of the sub-Doppler cooling mechanisms which have been observed in molasses, involving atomic motion through a polarization gradient. These mechanisms can operate in a trap because the atoms congregate in a region of low magnetic field. The lowest temperature measured was (30 ± 15) μK.We have measured the spring constant, friction parameter, and temperature of the motion of caesium atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The results are very different from those predicted by models based on the scattering force, which have been used up to now. We show that the behaviour can be understood in terms of the sub-Doppler cooling mechanisms which have been observed in molasses, involving atomic motion through a polarization gradient. These mechanisms can operate in a trap because the atoms congregate in a region of low magnetic field. The lowest temperature measured was (30 ± 15) μK.

Europhysics Letters (EPL)Feb 1, 1991108 citations

Phase-space description of the magneto-optical trap

Rudy Romain, Daniel Hennequin, Philippe Verkerk

arXiv:1007.5380The European Physical Journal DOct 8, 201015 citations

^{87}\mathrm{Rb}

atoms in a MOT are directly measured using a charge transfer technique, for a range of MOT parameters. Simple models are then fit to the measured fractions. Using the results of this work, the excited fraction of

^{87}\mathrm{Rb}

atoms trapped in a MOT can be accurately estimated with knowledge of only the trapping laser intensity and detuning. The results are, at most, only weakly dependent on other MOT parameters.

^{85}

with

\sim 4 \times 10^7

atoms can be created 700 um from the surface. The MOT lies close to the minimum of an evanescent Gravito-Optical Surface Trap (GOST) allowing for transfer into the GOST with potentially minimal losses.