Laser Cooling and Trapping of Neutral Atoms

Abstract

Abstract : In 1988, before the beginning of the current contract period, our group discovered that sodium atoms could be laser cooled well below the lower limit (the 'Doppler limit') predicted by the then generally accepted theory. Two main consequences of that discovery were a revamping of the theory of laser cooling and a renewed interest in the applications of laser cooling because of the far lower temperatures. Both of these effects are continuing in full force today, and this report is in large part a record of our group's continuing involvement in the new developments in laser cooling during the past three years. The work of the NIST laser cooling group falls functionally into the categories of: investigating laser cooling mechanisms; studies of collisions between laser cooled atoms; development of new trapping techniques for neutral atoms; study of the fluorescent spectrum of laser cooled atoms; manipulation of atoms and atom optics; development of coherent sources of vacuum ultraviolet light for laser cooling and high resolution spectroscopy; application of laser cooling and trapping technology to atomic frequency standards.