Loss of atoms from a near-resonance hollow dipole trap

Abstract

The lifetime of a gas of 6Li atoms in a large hollow optical dipole trap formed by radiation with a frequency detuned by 4 or 2 GHz upward from resonance is measured. The trap has the shape of a thin-walled cylinder with flat bases and a volume of ∼1 mm3. The main mechanism responsible for the loss of atoms is heating due to Rayleigh scattering. The influence of collisions of atoms with the background gas and with each other on the measured lifetime is negligible.