Rectified Forces in Rubidium

We have observed rectified dipole forces acting on three-level atoms in the cascade configuration. Laser cooled and trapped rubidium atoms are illuminated with an intense bichromatic standing wave (780 and 776 nm) tuned near resonance with the 5 ${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}5 ${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ \ensuremath{\rightarrow}5 ${\mathit{D}}_{5/2}$ transitions. The resulting rectified forces produce periodic potential wells (71-\ensuremath{\mu}m period), which localize the cold atoms. Experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. These forces may be useful in atom optics and laser traps.We have observed rectified dipole forces acting on three-level atoms in the cascade configuration. Laser cooled and trapped rubidium atoms are illuminated with an intense bichromatic standing wave (780 and 776 nm) tuned near resonance with the 5${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{D}}_{5/2}$ transitions. The resulting rectified forces produce periodic potential wells (71-\ensuremath{\mu}m period), which localize the cold atoms. Experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. These forces may be useful in atom optics and laser traps.

Physical Review AJun 1, 199529 citations

Large Double-EIT and Mutual Phase Shifts in Rubidium

Barry C. Sanders, Zengbin Wang, Karl-Peter Marzlin

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 15, 20060 citations

Rectified optical force on dark-state atoms

Eugeny Korsunsky, Dmitry V. Kosachiov

We show that an imperfection of velocity-selective coherent population trapping (VSCPT) in three-level atoms excited by standing light waves causes a rectified force on cooled atoms. The rectified force as well as the cooling force are calculated both analytically and numerically for and cascade three-level systems. Combination of these forces with the VSCPT mechanism can lead to localization of very cold atoms in potential wells created by the rectified force. This effect should be taken into account in experiments with VSCPT in standing waves, and can be used for realizing superlattices of cold atoms, in particular, cold Rydberg atoms.We show that an imperfection of velocity-selective coherent population trapping (VSCPT) in three-level atoms excited by standing light waves causes a rectified force on cooled atoms. The rectified force as well as the cooling force are calculated both analytically and numerically for and cascade three-level systems. Combination of these forces with the VSCPT mechanism can lead to localization of very cold atoms in potential wells created by the rectified force. This effect should be taken into account in experiments with VSCPT in standing waves, and can be used for realizing superlattices of cold atoms, in particular, cold Rydberg atoms.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsDec 28, 19974 citations

A magneto-optic trap for rubidium

Holger Delfs

Aug 24, 19920 citations

{\mathit{S}}_{1/2}

\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5

{\mathit{P}}_{3/2}

\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5

{\mathit{D}}_{5/2}

transitions. The resulting rectified forces produce periodic potential wells (71-\ensuremath{\mu}m period), which localize the cold atoms. Experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. These forces may be useful in atom optics and laser traps.