Theoretical analysis of the spatial structures of atoms in magneto-optical traps

Abstract

In this work, we present a theoretical study of the origin of the spatial structures in the conventional magneto-optical trap by using a numerical model based on the solutions of the equations of motion of trapped atoms, in the limit where the radiation trapping force is not relevant. Some results relating to the comparison between the experimental and theoretical data are reported. Also, we show that this same analysis can be employed to describe the spatial structures formation in atomic beams.