Abstract
We report on a simple scheme to efficiently load an on-axis magneto-optical trap (MOT) from a decelerated atomic beam, which avoids perturbation by radiation pressure from the decelerating laser. This has been tightly focused near the MOT center, with a waist size much smaller than the atomic cloud. For comparison, and in order to test the efficiency of this non-optimum deceleration geometry we have employed a second, independent decelerating laser, with a profile mode matched to the atomic beam. Using a Calcium MOT, good performance has been achieved and for an oven temperature of 580 °C we loaded 1.2 (2) ×107 atoms in 16 (1) ms. The technique described here has been essential for the sensitive detection of cold collisions, which represent minor losses in MOTs of alkaline-earth metal elements (R.L. Cavasso-Filho, A. Scalabrin, D. Pereira, F.C. Cruz: Phys. Rev. A, 67, 021402(R) (2003)).
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
T. Kisters, K. Zeiske, F. Riehle, J. Helmcke: Appl. Phys. B 59, 89 (1994)
T. Kurosu, G. Zinner, T. Trebst, F. Riehle: Phys. Rev. A 58, R4275 (1998)
F. Riehle, H. Schnatz, G. Zinner, K. Zeiske, B. Lipphardt, J. Helmcke: Laser Phys. 6, 237 (1996)
P. Kersten, F. Mensing, U. Sterr, F. Riehle: Appl. Phys. B 68, 27 (1999)
C.W. Oates, F. Bondu, R.W. Fox, L. Holberg: Eur. Phys. J. D 7, 449 (1999)
G. Zinner, T. Binnewies, F. Riehle: Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2292 (2000)
T. Binnewies, G. Wilpers, U. Sterr, F. Riehle, J. Helmcke, T.E. Mehlstaubler, E.M. Rasel, W. Ertmer: Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 3002 (2001)
E.A. Cutis, C.W. Oates, L. Hollberg: Phys. Rev. A 64, 1403 (2001)
R.L. Cavasso Filho, A. Scalabrin, D. Pereira, F.C. Cruz: Phys. Rev. A 67, 021402(R) (2003)
J. Grünert, A. Hemmerich: Appl. Phys. B 73, 815 (2001)
J.V.B. Gomide, G.A. Garcia, F.C. Cruz, A.J. Polaquini, M.P. Arruda, D. Pereira, A. Scalabrin, Brazilian J. Phys. 27, 266 (1997); G. Woehl, G.D. Garcia, F.C. Cruz, D. Pereira, A. Scalabrin: Appl. Opt. 38, 2540 (1999)
J.A. Neuman, P. Wang, A. Gallagher: Rev. Sci. Instrum. 66, 3021 (1995)
H.J. Onisto, R.L. Cavasso Filho, A. Scalabrin, D. Pereira, F.C. Cruz: Opt. Engin. 41, 1122 (2002)
E.L. Raab, M. Prentiss, A. Cable, S. Chu, D.E. Pritchard: Phys. Rev. Lett. 59, 2631 (1987)
R.J. Napolitano, S.C. Zílio, V.S. Bagnato: Opt. Commun. 80, 110 (1990)
S.G. Miranda, S.R. Muniz, G.D. Telles, L.G. Marcassa, K. Helmerson, V.S. Bagnato: Phys. Rev. A 59, 882 (1999)
P.D. Lett, W.D. Phillips, S.L. Rolston, C.E. Tanner, R.N. Watts, C.I. Westbrook: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6, 2084 (1999)
H.J. Metcalf, P. van der Straten: Laser cooling and trapping (Springer-Verlag NY, Inc. 1999)
T.P. Dinneen, K.R. Vogel, E. Arimondo, J.L. Hall, A. Gallagher: Phys. Rev. A 59, 1216 (1999)
D.A. Manoel, R.L. Cavasso Filho, A. Scalabrin, D. Pereira, F.C. Cruz: Opt. Commun. 201, 157 (2002)
X. Xu, T.H. Loftus, M.J. Smith, J.H. Hall, A. Gallagher, J. Ye: Phys. Rev. A 66, 011401(R) (2002)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
PACS
32.80.Pj, 39.25.+k, 39.10.+j
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cavasso Filho, R., Manoel, D., Ortega, D. et al. On-axis calcium magneto-optical trap loaded with a focused decelerating laser. Appl Phys B 78, 49–52 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-003-1355-8
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-003-1355-8