The motion of laser-cooled $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms along a one-dimensional optical potential under the influence of an external force is investigated. The transition from a region of low external force, where the motion is dominated by the optical potential, to one of a strong force, where the presence of the optical potential is hardly felt, is demonstrated. An unexpected discrepancy is found between the measured and expected value of the drift velocity induced by an applied magnetic field on a one-dimensional ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{+}$-${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ optical molasses.
Read full abstract