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arXiv:physics/0009073 · Optics Letters

Nondestructive spatial heterodyne imaging of cold atoms

Steve Kadlecek, Jennifer Sebby-Strabley, Raymond Newell, Thad G Walker

Published Feb 1, 2001• 47 citations
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Abstract

We demonstrate a new method for nondestructive imaging of laser-cooled atoms. This spatial heterodyne technique forms a phase image by interfering a strong reference laser beam with a weak probe beam that passes through the cold atom cloud. The figure of merit equals or exceeds that of phase-contrast imaging, and the technique can be used over a wider range of spatial scales. We show images of a dark-spot magneto-optic trap taken with imaging fluences as low as 61 pJ/cm(2) at a detuning of 11? , resulting in 0.0004 photons scattered per atom.

DOI
10.1364/ol.26.000137

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