Studies of Laser-Cooled and Magneto-Optically Trapped Xenon.

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

Magnetic inhibition of polarization-gradient laser cooling in σ+ - σ− optical molasses

M. Walhout, Uwe Sterr, S. L. Rolston

Xenon atoms are released from a magneto-optical trap and equilibrate in a one-dimensional, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{+}$-${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ optical molasses, along which a uniform magnetic field is applied. In the rest frame of the ``corkscrew'' pattern of laser polarization, the magnetic field induces a nonzero average atomic velocity. Introducing a moving molasses through a relative difference in the two laser-beam frequencies allows straightforward, accurate measurements of the molasses-frame velocity distribution over a large range of magnetic fields. The measurements reveal the loss of polarization-gradient cooling in fields higher than \ensuremath{\sim}0.2 mT, in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.Xenon atoms are released from a magneto-optical trap and equilibrate in a one-dimensional, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{+}$-${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ optical molasses, along which a uniform magnetic field is applied. In the rest frame of the ``corkscrew'' pattern of laser polarization, the magnetic field induces a nonzero average atomic velocity. Introducing a moving molasses through a relative difference in the two laser-beam frequencies allows straightforward, accurate measurements of the molasses-frame velocity distribution over a large range of magnetic fields. The measurements reveal the loss of polarization-gradient cooling in fields higher than \ensuremath{\sim}0.2 mT, in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Physical Review ASep 1, 199622 citations

Laser cooling of cesium atoms: an experimental study of the magneto-optical trap

Thomas Marty

Jan 1, 19960 citations

An atom trap trace analysis system for measuring krypton contamination in xenon dark matter detectors

Elena Aprile, Taehyun Yoon, Andre Loose +2 more

We have developed an atom trap trace analysis (ATTA) system to measure Kr in Xe at the part per trillion (ppt) level, a prerequisite for the sensitivity achievable with liquid xenon dark matter detectors beyond the current generation. Since Ar and Kr have similar laser cooling wavelengths, the apparatus has been tested with Ar to avoid contamination prior to measuring Xe samples. A radio-frequency plasma discharge generates a beam of metastable atoms which is optically collimated, slowed, and trapped using standard magneto-optical techniques. Based on the measured overall system efficiency of 1.2 × 10(-8) (detection mode), we expect the ATTA system to reach the design goal sensitivity to ppt concentrations of Kr in Xe in <2 h.We have developed an atom trap trace analysis (ATTA) system to measure Kr in Xe at the part per trillion (ppt) level, a prerequisite for the sensitivity achievable with liquid xenon dark matter detectors beyond the current generation. Since Ar and Kr have similar laser cooling wavelengths, the apparatus has been tested with Ar to avoid contamination prior to measuring Xe samples. A radio-frequency plasma discharge generates a beam of metastable atoms which is optically collimated, slowed, and trapped using standard magneto-optical techniques. Based on the measured overall system efficiency of 1.2 × 10(-8) (detection mode), we expect the ATTA system to reach the design goal sensitivity to ppt concentrations of Kr in Xe in <2 h.

arXiv:1305.6510Review of Scientific InstrumentsSep 1, 201320 citations

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}