arXiv:physics/0501009 · Physical Review A

Single-atom detection of calcium isotopes by atom-trap trace analysis

Steven Hoekstra, A. K. Mollema, Reinhard Morgenstern, H. W. Wilschut, R. Hoekstra

Published Feb 16, 2005• 18 citations

Abstract

We demonstrate a combination of an isotopically purified atom beam and a magneto-optical trap which enables single-atom detection of all stable isotopes of calcium (40, 42, 43, 44, 46, and 48). These isotopes range in abundance from 96.9% $(^{40}\mathrm{Ca})$ to 0.004% $(^{46}\mathrm{Ca})$. The trap is loaded from an atomic beam which is decelerated in a Zeeman slower and subsequently deflected over an angle of 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} by optical molasses. The isotope selectivity of the Zeeman slower and the deflection stage is investigated experimentally and compared with Monte Carlo simulations.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.71.023409

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Spectroscopy and isotope shifts of the 4s3d 1D2 – 4s5p 1P1 repumping transition in magneto-optically trapped calcium atoms

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The setup for laser cooling and trapping of calcium atoms

E V Vilshanskaya, Sergey A. Saakyan, Vladimir A. Sautenkov +1 more

We have assembled the experimental setup for laser cooling and trapping of calcium atoms in a magneto-optical trap. As a part of this setup on air-cooled Zeeman slower for calcium atomic beam was developed. By using the atomic beam we recorded the resonance of fluorescence. The spectral width of the resonance 58.6 MHz is comparable with the natural width of cooling transition 4 s 21 S 0 −4 s 4 p 1 P 1 .

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arXiv:physics/0501009 · Physical Review A

Single-atom detection of calcium isotopes by atom-trap trace analysis

Steven Hoekstra, A. K. Mollema, Reinhard Morgenstern, H. W. Wilschut, R. Hoekstra

Published Feb 16, 2005• 18 citations

arXiv HTML PDF

Abstract

(^{40}\mathrm{Ca})

to 0.004%

(^{46}\mathrm{Ca})

. The trap is loaded from an atomic beam which is decelerated in a Zeeman slower and subsequently deflected over an angle of 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} by optical molasses. The isotope selectivity of the Zeeman slower and the deflection stage is investigated experimentally and compared with Monte Carlo simulations.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.71.023409

Related papers

Combination of magneto-optical trapping and mass spectrometry for calcium-isotope analysis

Kwang-Hoon Ko, Yong Hee Kim, Lim Lee +5 more

A method using a combination of a magneto-optical trap and a mass spectrometer, referred to as atom trap-mass spectrometry (ATMS), is employed for calcium-isotope analysis. A calcium magneto-optical trap with a Zeeman slower is used in the first isotope-selection stage of the ATMS. The trapped calcium isotope is ionized by using a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, and the photoions are analyzed using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The isotope-selection characteristics of the combination method and further improvements in the method are discussed in this work.A method using a combination of a magneto-optical trap and a mass spectrometer, referred to as atom trap-mass spectrometry (ATMS), is employed for calcium-isotope analysis. A calcium magneto-optical trap with a Zeeman slower is used in the first isotope-selection stage of the ATMS. The trapped calcium isotope is ionized by using a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, and the photoions are analyzed using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The isotope-selection characteristics of the combination method and further improvements in the method are discussed in this work.

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Iain D. Moore, K. Bailey, Zheng‐Tian Lu +3 more

An Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) system based on the technique of laser manipulation of neutral atoms is being developed to count individual {sup 41}Ca atoms present in natural samples with an isotopic abundance of 10{sup -15}. Trapping of all stable calcium isotopes has been demonstrated and single-atom counting has been realized. For the most abundant isotope, {sup 40}Ca (97% isotopic abundance), a magneto-optical trap (MOT) loading rate of 2 x 10{sup 10} atoms/s has been reached at the overall capture efficiency of 1 x 10{sup -4}. System improvements could increase the efficiency by at least an order of magnitude.An Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) system based on the technique of laser manipulation of neutral atoms is being developed to count individual {sup 41}Ca atoms present in natural samples with an isotopic abundance of 10{sup -15}. Trapping of all stable calcium isotopes has been demonstrated and single-atom counting has been realized. For the most abundant isotope, {sup 40}Ca (97% isotopic abundance), a magneto-optical trap (MOT) loading rate of 2 x 10{sup 10} atoms/s has been reached at the overall capture efficiency of 1 x 10{sup -4}. System improvements could increase the efficiency by at least an order of magnitude.

May 6, 20020 citations

Spectroscopy and isotope shifts of the 4s3d 1D2 – 4s5p 1P1 repumping transition in magneto-optically trapped calcium atoms

Umakanth Dammalapati, I. Norris, C. Burrows +2 more

We investigate a repumping scheme for magneto-optically trapped calcium atoms. It is based on excitation of the $4s3{d}^{1}{D}_{2}$ -- $4s5{p}^{1}{P}_{1}$ transition at $672$ nm with an extended cavity diode laser. The effect of the repumping is approximately a factor of three increase in trap lifetime and a doubling of the trapping efficiency from a Zeeman slowed thermal beam. Added to this, the 672-nm laser repumps atoms from an otherwise dark state to yield an overall increase in detected fluorescence signal from the magneto-optic trap (MOT) of more than an order of magnitude. Furthermore, we report isotope shift measurements of the $672$ -nm transition, for the first time, for four naturally occurring even isotopes. Using available charge radii data, the observed shifts, extending up to $4.3$ GHz, display the expected linear dependence in a King plot analysis. The measured shifts are used to determine the isotope shifts of the remaining $^{41,43,46}\mathrm{Ca}$ isotopes. These might be of interest where less abundant isotopes are used enabling isotope selective repumping, resulting in enhanced trapping and detection efficiencies.We investigate a repumping scheme for magneto-optically trapped calcium atoms. It is based on excitation of the $4s3{d}^{1}{D}_{2}$--$4s5{p}^{1}{P}_{1}$ transition at $672$ nm with an extended cavity diode laser. The effect of the repumping is approximately a factor of three increase in trap lifetime and a doubling of the trapping efficiency from a Zeeman slowed thermal beam. Added to this, the 672-nm laser repumps atoms from an otherwise dark state to yield an overall increase in detected fluorescence signal from the magneto-optic trap (MOT) of more than an order of magnitude. Furthermore, we report isotope shift measurements of the $672$-nm transition, for the first time, for four naturally occurring even isotopes. Using available charge radii data, the observed shifts, extending up to $4.3$ GHz, display the expected linear dependence in a King plot analysis. The measured shifts are used to determine the isotope shifts of the remaining $^{41,43,46}\mathrm{Ca}$ isotopes. These might be of interest where less abundant isotopes are used enabling isotope selective repumping, resulting in enhanced trapping and detection efficiencies.

Physical Review AFeb 26, 20109 citations

Calcium magneto-optical trap loaded from a decelerated atomic beam

Reinaldo L. Cavasso Filho, Daniela A. Manoel, Davi R. Ortega +3 more

We describe a new system for laser cooling and trapping of neutral Calcium atoms employing the ¹S0 -¹ P1 resonant transition at 423 nm. An on-axis magneto-optical trap (MOT) is loaded from a Zeeman decelerated atomic beam. When a single laser is used, in order to avoid perturbation of the trap by the deceleration laser beam, this one has been tightly focused near the MOT center, with a waist size much smaller than the atomic cloud. In order to test the efficiency of this novel technique, we have then employed a second, independent decelerating laser, with a profile mode matched to the atomic beam. For an oven temperature of 580±C this system can load 1.2 (2) x 10(7) atoms in 16 (1) ms. By the spatial extension of the atomic cloud the one dimension rms velocity was estimated to be 136 (12) cm/s, corresponding to a temperature of 9 (2) mK. The variation of the number of trapped atoms as a function of laser detuning and intensity, trap magnetic field gradient and oven temperature is analyzed. Spatial structures of the trapped atoms, like stable rings created by vortex forces, have been observed. This is the first time that these structures, already observed in alkali-metal elements, are reported in MOTs of alkaline-earth elements.We describe a new system for laser cooling and trapping of neutral Calcium atoms employing the ¹S0 -¹ P1 resonant transition at 423 nm. An on-axis magneto-optical trap (MOT) is loaded from a Zeeman decelerated atomic beam. When a single laser is used, in order to avoid perturbation of the trap by the deceleration laser beam, this one has been tightly focused near the MOT center, with a waist size much smaller than the atomic cloud. In order to test the efficiency of this novel technique, we have then employed a second, independent decelerating laser, with a profile mode matched to the atomic beam. For an oven temperature of 580±C this system can load 1.2 (2) x 10(7) atoms in 16 (1) ms. By the spatial extension of the atomic cloud the one dimension rms velocity was estimated to be 136 (12) cm/s, corresponding to a temperature of 9 (2) mK. The variation of the number of trapped atoms as a function of laser detuning and intensity, trap magnetic field gradient and oven temperature is analyzed. Spatial structures of the trapped atoms, like stable rings created by vortex forces, have been observed. This is the first time that these structures, already observed in alkali-metal elements, are reported in MOTs of alkaline-earth elements.

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A permanent-magnet Zeeman slower and magneto-optical trap for calcium atoms for ultracold Rydberg physics

Eduardo Marin-Bujedo, Julien A. L. Grondin, Thomas Schiltz +3 more

We report the construction and characterization of an experimental setup for producing a cold gas of $^{40}$ Ca atoms and excite them to high Rydberg states with a resonant three-photon-excitation scheme. The apparatus comprises four stages, each designed in-house. An oven heated to $\sim 500^\circ$ C generates an atomic beam that is collimated by a capillary stack. The beam is sent into a passive, permanent-magnet-based Zeeman slower that reduces the atomic velocity to $30$ m/s. The slow atoms are captured in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and cooled to $1.0(3)$ mK with a trapping time of $16(2)$ ms. Ground-state atoms in the cold gas are excited to high Rydberg states via resonant excitation through the intermediate $4s4p\, ^1P_1$ and $4s4d\, ^1D_2$ states. The MOT is operated at the center of an electrode stack, which serves to apply continuous and pulsed electric fields and field-ionize the Rydberg atoms for detection. We benchmark our MOT against previous implementations and find its performance consistent with state-of-the-art results in terms of temperature and trapping lifetime. Finally, we demonstrate Rydberg spectroscopy of calcium, confirming the system's suitability for ultracold Rydberg physics experiments.We report the construction and characterization of an experimental setup for producing a cold gas of $^{40}$Ca atoms and excite them to high Rydberg states with a resonant three-photon-excitation scheme. The apparatus comprises four stages, each designed in-house. An oven heated to $\sim 500^\circ$C generates an atomic beam that is collimated by a capillary stack. The beam is sent into a passive, permanent-magnet-based Zeeman slower that reduces the atomic velocity to $30$ m/s. The slow atoms are captured in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and cooled to $1.0(3)$ mK with a trapping time of $16(2)$ ms. Ground-state atoms in the cold gas are excited to high Rydberg states via resonant excitation through the intermediate $4s4p\, ^1P_1$ and $4s4d\, ^1D_2$ states. The MOT is operated at the center of an electrode stack, which serves to apply continuous and pulsed electric fields and field-ionize the Rydberg atoms for detection. We benchmark our MOT against previous implementations and find its performance consistent with state-of-the-art results in terms of temperature and trapping lifetime. Finally, we demonstrate Rydberg spectroscopy of calcium, confirming the system's suitability for ultracold Rydberg physics experiments.

physics.atom-phCross-listedarXiv:2511.23245Review of Scientific InstrumentsDec 1, 20250 citations

The setup for laser cooling and trapping of calcium atoms

E V Vilshanskaya, Sergey A. Saakyan, Vladimir A. Sautenkov +1 more

Journal of Physics Conference SeriesJan 1, 20191 citation

(^{40}\mathrm{Ca})

to 0.004%

(^{46}\mathrm{Ca})

We investigate a repumping scheme for magneto-optically trapped calcium atoms. It is based on excitation of the

4s3{d}^{1}{D}_{2}

4s5{p}^{1}{P}_{1}

transition at

672

nm with an extended cavity diode laser. The effect of the repumping is approximately a factor of three increase in trap lifetime and a doubling of the trapping efficiency from a Zeeman slowed thermal beam. Added to this, the 672-nm laser repumps atoms from an otherwise dark state to yield an overall increase in detected fluorescence signal from the magneto-optic trap (MOT) of more than an order of magnitude. Furthermore, we report isotope shift measurements of the

672

-nm transition, for the first time, for four naturally occurring even isotopes. Using available charge radii data, the observed shifts, extending up to

4.3

GHz, display the expected linear dependence in a King plot analysis. The measured shifts are used to determine the isotope shifts of the remaining

^{41,43,46}\mathrm{Ca}

isotopes. These might be of interest where less abundant isotopes are used enabling isotope selective repumping, resulting in enhanced trapping and detection efficiencies.

We report the construction and characterization of an experimental setup for producing a cold gas of

^{40}

Ca atoms and excite them to high Rydberg states with a resonant three-photon-excitation scheme. The apparatus comprises four stages, each designed in-house. An oven heated to

\sim 500^\circ

C generates an atomic beam that is collimated by a capillary stack. The beam is sent into a passive, permanent-magnet-based Zeeman slower that reduces the atomic velocity to

30

m/s. The slow atoms are captured in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and cooled to

1.0(3)

mK with a trapping time of

16(2)

ms. Ground-state atoms in the cold gas are excited to high Rydberg states via resonant excitation through the intermediate

4s4p\, ^1P_1

and

4s4d\, ^1D_2

states. The MOT is operated at the center of an electrode stack, which serves to apply continuous and pulsed electric fields and field-ionize the Rydberg atoms for detection. We benchmark our MOT against previous implementations and find its performance consistent with state-of-the-art results in terms of temperature and trapping lifetime. Finally, we demonstrate Rydberg spectroscopy of calcium, confirming the system's suitability for ultracold Rydberg physics experiments.