Laser-free slow atom source

Ghaffari, Bita; Gerton, Jordan M.; McAlexander, W. I.; Strecker, Kevin E.; Homan, Dean; Hulet, Randall G.

doi:10.1103/physreva.60.3878

Cited by 36 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…An alternative scheme would be to use a guided beam of atoms (e.g. [635]) and produce a merged beam experiment, as has been done with, for example, neutral beams of polar molecules [636,637]. In this way it would be possible to better match the projectile and target speeds, which would significantly enhance the cross sections, compensating for the reduced densities.…”

Section: Scatteringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental progress in positronium laser physics

2018

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Abstract. The field of experimental positronium physics has advanced significantly in the last few decades, with new areas of research driven by the development of techniques for trapping and manipulating positrons using Surko-type buffer gas traps. Large numbers of positrons (typically ≥10 6 ) accumulated in such a device may be ejected all at once, so as to generate an intense pulse. Standard bunching techniques can produce pulses with ns (mm) temporal (spatial) beam profiles. These pulses can be converted into a dilute Ps gas in vacuum with densities on the order of 10 7 cm −3 which can be probed by standard ns pulsed laser systems. This allows for the efficient production of excited Ps states, including long-lived Rydberg states, which in turn facilitates numerous experimental programs, such as precision optical and microwave spectroscopy of Ps, the application of Stark deceleration methods to guide, decelerate and focus Rydberg Ps beams, and studies of the interactions of such beams with other atomic and molecular species. These methods are also applicable to antihydrogen production and spectroscopic studies of energy levels and resonances in positronium ions and molecules. A summary of recent progress in this area will be given, with the objective of providing an overview of the field as it currently exists, and a brief discussion of some future directions.

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Section: Scatteringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental progress in positronium laser physics

2018

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“…However, for most other atomic and all molecular species the situation is less favorable and considerable time as well as resources remain necessary for the development of a source. Aside from optical cooling schemes many other cooling principles have been explored, we mention cryogenic cooling by surfaces [3] or buffer gas [4], filtering by magnetic [5,6] or electric funnels [7] and Stark deceleration of molecules [8] as well as Rydberg atoms [9]. In spite of the success of these sources in specific cases, optical cooling is the preferred option whenever an appropriate optical transition is available.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-flux two-dimensional magneto-optical-trap source for cold lithium atoms

et al. 2009

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We demonstrate a novel 2D MOT beam source for cold 6 Li atoms. The source is side-loaded from an oven operated at temperatures in the range 600 T 700 K. The performance is analyzed by loading the atoms into a 3D MOT located 220 mm downstream from the source. The maximum recapture rate of ∼ 10 9 s −1 is obtained for T ≈ 700 K and results in a total of up to 10 10 trapped atoms. The recaptured fraction is estimated to be 30 ± 10% and limited by beam divergence. The most-probable velocity in the beam (αz) is varied from 18 to 70 m/s by increasing the intensity of a push beam. The source is quite monochromatic with a full-width at half maximum velocity spread of 11 m/s at αz = 36 m/s, demonstrating that side-loading completely eliminates beam contamination by hot vapor from the oven. We identify depletion of the low-velocity tail of the oven flux as the limiting loss mechanism. Our approach is suitable for other atomic species.

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“…As to the simplest possible cold atom sources, a laserfree velocity filter [1] is elegant, but its maximum flux can be greatly improved upon by adding a laser cooling stage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An atom faucet

Wohlleben

Chevy

Madison

et al. 2001

The European Physical Journal D

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Abstract. We have constructed and modeled a simple and efficient source of slow atoms. From a background vapour loaded magneto-optical trap, a thin laser beam extracts a continuous jet of cold rubidium atoms. In this setup, the extraction column that is typical to leaking MOT systems is created without any optical parts placed inside the vacuum chamber. For detailed analysis, we present a simple 3D numerical simulation of the atomic motion in the presence of multiple saturating laser fields combined with an inhomogeneous magnetic field. At a pressure of P Rb87 = 1 × 10 −8 mbar, the moderate laser power of 10 mW per beam generates a jet of flux Φ = 1.3 × 10 8 atoms/s with a mean velocity of 14 m/s and a divergence of < 20 mrad.

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Laser-free slow atom source

Cited by 36 publications

References 12 publications

Experimental progress in positronium laser physics

Experimental progress in positronium laser physics

High-flux two-dimensional magneto-optical-trap source for cold lithium atoms

An atom faucet

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