High densities of cold atoms in a<i>dark</i>spontaneous-force optical trap

Abstract

A new magneto-optical trap is demonstrated which confines atoms predominantly in a ``dark'' hyperfine level, that does not interact with the trapping light. This leads to much higher atomic densities as repulsive forces between atoms due to rescattered radiation are reduced and trap loss due to excited-state collisions is diminished. In such a trap, more than ${10}^{10}$ sodium atoms have been confined to densities approaching ${10}^{12}$ atoms ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$.

Keywords

Atomic physicsTrappingMagneto-optical trapTrap (plumbing)Excited statePhysicsHyperfine structureMagnetic trapLaserPlasmaNuclear physicsOptics

Affiliated Institutions

Massachusetts Institute of Technology US

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Publication Info

Year: 1993
Type: article
Volume: 70
Issue: 15
Pages: 2253-2256
Citations: 497
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    Wolfgang Ketterle, 
                                
                                    Kendall B. Davis, 
                                
                                    Michael Joffe
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1993). 
                            High densities of cold atoms in a<i>dark</i>spontaneous-force optical trap. 
                            Physical Review Letters
                            , 70
                            (15)
                            , 2253-2256.
                            https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.70.2253
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.70.2253