Strong Gaussian standing wave: an efficient tool for laser cooling of atomic beams

Pavel Zemanek; Christopher J. Foot

doi:10.1117/12.301361

1 January 1998 Strong Gaussian standing wave: an efficient tool for laser cooling of atomic beams

Pavel Zemanek, Christopher J. Foot

Proceedings Volume 3320, Tenth Polish-Czech-Slovak Optical Conference: Wave and Quantum Aspects of Contemporary Optics; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301361
Event: Tenth Polish-Czech-Slovak Optical Conference: Wave and Quantum Aspects of Contemporary Optics, 1996, Karpacz, Poland

Abstract

We propose an efficient method of cooling atoms in a strong Gaussian standing wave. The steep gradients of the atomic potential energy give rise to large dipole forces, which can be much stronger than the maximum radiation pressure force and can therefore stop atoms in a much shorter distance. We have simulated the cooling process using a semi-classical Monte- Carlo method, which includes the radial motion, in addition to the motion along the beams. Both motions are calculated directly without separation the dynamics into force and diffusion terms. To cool a large range of atomic velocities the frame in which the standing wave is at rest was swept by changing the frequencies of the counter-propagating beams, in a similar way to the well-known chirp cooling technique using the radiation pressure force. If the curvature of Gaussian beams far from beam waist is employed the radial motion and velocities can be reduced even for the blue detuning comparing to the near waist case. The simulations show that it is possible to stop caesium atoms in a distance of several centimeters (the exact value depends on the laser power, beam waist radius and acceptable chirping force) starting from the most probable velocity at room temperature. Narrower radial and wider axial velocity distribution was obtained for red detuning comparing with the blue one.

Citation Download Citation

Pavel Zemanek and Christopher J. Foot "Strong Gaussian standing wave: an efficient tool for laser cooling of atomic beams", Proc. SPIE 3320, Tenth Polish-Czech-Slovak Optical Conference: Wave and Quantum Aspects of Contemporary Optics, (1 January 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301361

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available