Trapping of<sup>85</sup>Rb atoms by optical pumping between metastable hyperfine states

Cooper, Nathan; Freegarde, Tim

doi:10.1088/0953-4075/46/21/215003

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Second, position and velocity dependent optical pumping effects, that can give rise to spatial confinement (e.g. [19,20]), are minimized. This is because all laser beams drive the same σ − -transitions with respect to a 'universal' quantization axis (except for a small contribution of σ + -transitions).…”

Section: Trapping Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

All-optical atom trap as a target for MOTRIMS-like collision experiments

et al. 2018

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Momentum-resolved scattering experiments with laser-cooled atomic targets have been performed since almost two decades with MOTRIMS (Magneto-Optical Trap Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy) setups. Compared to experiments with gas-jet targets, MOTRIMS features significantly lower target temperatures allowing for an excellent recoil ion momentum resolution. However, the coincident and momentum-resolved detection of electrons was long rendered impossible due to incompatible magnetic field requirements. Here we report on a novel experimental approach which is based on an all-optical 6 Li atom trap that -in contrast to magneto-optical traps -does not require magnetic field gradients in the trapping region. Atom temperatures of about 2 mK and number densities up to 10 9 cm −3 make this trap ideally suited for momentum-resolved electron-ion coincidence experiments. The overall configuration of the new trap is very similar to conventional magnetooptical traps. It mainly requires small modifications of laser beam geometries and polarization which makes it easily implementable in other existing MOTRIMS experiments.

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Section: Trapping Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

All-optical atom trap as a target for MOTRIMS-like collision experiments

et al. 2018

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“…In order to determine the influence of these 'equilibrium state' atoms on the spectroscopic signals, we adopt a similar approach to that presented in previous work on atom trapping using optical pumping effects 35 , developing a rate-equation based model in which we consider the six-level system shown in figure 1(b). For convenience, we label the F=3 and F=4 hyperfine states of the 6S 1/2 level as 'A' and 'B' respectively, while the F =2 through F =4 hyperfine states of the 6P 3/2 level will be denoted by 'C' to 'F' respectively.…”

Section: Theoretical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual-frequency Doppler-free spectroscopy for simultaneous laser stabilisation in compact atomic physics experiments

Cooper¹,

Madkhaly²,

Johnson³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Vapour-cell spectroscopy is widely used for the frequency stabilisation of diode lasers relative to specific atomic transitions -a technique essential in cold atom and ion trapping experiments. Two laser beams, tuned to different frequencies, can be overlapped on the same spatial path as an aid to compactness; this method also enhances the resulting spectroscopic signal via optical pumping effects, yielding an increase in the sensitivity of spectroscopically-generated laser stabilisation signals. Doppler-free locking features become visible over a frequency range several hundred MHz wider than for standard saturated absorption spectroscopy. Herein we present the measured Doppler-free spectroscopy signals from an atomic vapour cell as a function of both laser frequencies, showing experimental data that covers the full, 2D parameter space associated with dual-frequency spectroscopy. We consider how dual-frequency spectroscopy could be used for enhanced frequency-stabilisation of one laser, or alternatively to frequency-stabilise two lasers simultaneously, and analyse the likely performance of such stabilisation methods based on our experimental results. We discuss the underlying physical mechanism of the technique and show that a simple rate-equation model successfully predicts the key qualitative features of our results.

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“…First, we only consider initial states of the atom with no angular momentum. For atoms with just one electron in its last orbital, which are commonly used for atomic trapping [9,26,29], we can approximate the wave function as that of the hydrogen atom by adding a correction term to the principal quantum number [23]; this approximation is especially accurate for Rydberg atoms [15].…”

Section: Decoherence By Scatteringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decoherence in Excited Atoms by Low-Energy Scattering

Quiñones¹,

Varcoe²

2016

Atoms

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Abstract:We describe a new mechanism of decoherence in excited atoms as a result of thermal particles scattering by the atomic nucleus. It is based on the idea that a single scattering will produce a sudden displacement of the nucleus, which will be perceived by the electron in the atom as an instant shift in the electrostatic potential. This will leave the atom's wave-function partially projected into lower-energy states, which will lead to decoherence of the atomic state. The decoherence is calculated to increase with the excitation of the atom, making observation of the effect easier in Rydberg atoms. We estimate the order of the decoherence for photons and massive particles scattering, analyzing several commonly presented scenarios. Our scheme can be applied to the detection of weakly-interacting particles, like those which may be the constituents of Dark Matter, the interaction of which was calculated to have a more prominent effect that the background radiation.

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Trapping of⁸⁵Rb atoms by optical pumping between metastable hyperfine states

Cited by 4 publications

References 18 publications

All-optical atom trap as a target for MOTRIMS-like collision experiments

All-optical atom trap as a target for MOTRIMS-like collision experiments

Dual-frequency Doppler-free spectroscopy for simultaneous laser stabilisation in compact atomic physics experiments

Decoherence in Excited Atoms by Low-Energy Scattering

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Trapping of85Rb atoms by optical pumping between metastable hyperfine states

Cited by 4 publications

References 18 publications

All-optical atom trap as a target for MOTRIMS-like collision experiments

All-optical atom trap as a target for MOTRIMS-like collision experiments

Dual-frequency Doppler-free spectroscopy for simultaneous laser stabilisation in compact atomic physics experiments

Decoherence in Excited Atoms by Low-Energy Scattering

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Trapping of⁸⁵Rb atoms by optical pumping between metastable hyperfine states