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arXiv:cond-mat/0509241 · Physical Review A

Ultraviolet light-induced atom desorption for large rubidium and potassium magneto-optical traps

Carsten Klempt, Tim van Zoest, T. Henninger, O. Topic, Ernst Maria Rasel, Wolfgang A. Ertmer, J. Arlt

Published Jan 24, 2006• 113 citations
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Abstract

We show that light-induced atom desorption (LIAD) can be used as a flexible atomic source for large $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{K}$ magneto-optical traps. The use of LIAD at short wavelengths allows for fast switching of the desired vapor pressure and permits experiments with long trapping and coherence times. The wavelength dependence of the LIAD effect for both species was explored in a range from $630\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}253\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ in an uncoated quartz cell and a stainless steel chamber. Only a few $\mathrm{mW}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ of near-UV light produce partial pressures that are high enough to saturate a magneto-optical trap at $3.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{9}$ $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms or $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ $^{40}\mathrm{K}$ atoms. Loading rates as high as $1.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{9}$ $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms/s and $8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ $^{40}\mathrm{K}$ atoms/s were achieved without the use of a secondary atom source. After the desorption light is turned off, the pressure quickly decays back to equilibrium with a time constant as short as $200\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$, allowing for long trapping lifetimes after the MOT loading phase.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.73.013410

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UV (390nm) light was used to modulate the rubidium partial pressure by inducing desorption of Rb atoms from the inner walls of the vacuum cell. A few mW/cm2 of UV light was enough to increase the rubidium partial pressure by a factor of 30 in about 1 s. After the source was turned off, the pressure quickly decayed back to its previous value with a time constant as short as 120 ms, allowing for long tapping lifetimes after the MOT holding phase. The number-lifetime product of the magnetic trap was shown as a function of the duration of the MOT holding phase, the maximum value was achieved after a MOT holding time of 1.25 s.
Low-intensity white light was used to increase the loading rate of 87Rb{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb atoms into a vapor-cell magneto-optic trap by inducing nonthermal desorption of Rb atoms from the stainless-steel walls of the vapor cell. An increased Rb partial pressure reached a new equilibrium value in fewer than 10 s after switching on the broadband light source. After the source was turned off, the partial pressure returned to its previous value in 1/e1/e1/e times as short as 10 s.
The dynamics of magneto-optical trap loading by light-induced atom desorption (LIAD) are investigated theoretically and experimentally. The loading of the MOT has been described by a theoretical model. We have paid close attention to the background gases which are essentially important for the ultimate vacuum pressure. The experiment is done based on a glass cell and all the results are well in agreement with the theory. The decay process of the background vacuum pressure caused by the untrapped cesium atoms after shutting off the desorption light is explained quantitatively. The LIAD effect is proved to be an effective tool to control the loading of the MOT and the neutral single atoms in experiment.
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We demonstrate loading of a Li magneto-optical trap using light-induced atomic desorption. The magneto-optical trap confines up to approximately $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ 7Li^{7}\mathrm{Li}7Li atoms with loading rates up to approximately $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{3}$ atoms per second. We study the Li desorption rate as a function of the desorption wavelength and power. The extracted wavelength threshold for desorption of Li from fused silica is approximately 470 nm. In addition to desorption of lithium, we observe light-induced desorption of background gas molecules. The vacuum pressure increase due to the desorbed background molecules is $\ensuremath{\lesssim}50\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}%$, and the vacuum pressure decreases back to its base value with characteristic timescales on the order of seconds when we extinguish the desorption light. By examining both the loading and decay curves of the magneto-optical trap, we are able to disentangle the trap decay rates due to background gases and desorbed lithium. Our results show that light-induced atomic desorption can be a viable Li vapor source for compact devices and sensors.