Vapor-cell Magneto-optical Trap Research Articles

Magneto-optic trap using a reversible, solid-state alkali-metal source.

We demonstrate a novel way to form and deplete a vapor-cell magneto-optic trap (MOT) using a reversible, solid-state alkali-metal source via an applied polarized voltage. Using ∼100 mW of electrical power, a trapped-atom number of 5×106 has been achieved, starting from near zero and the timescales of the MOT formation and depletion of ∼1 s. This fast, reversible, and low-power alkali-atom source is desirable in both tabletop and portable cold-atom systems. The core technology of this device should translate readily to other alkali and alkaline-earth elements that could find a wide range of uses in cold-atom systems and instruments.

A simple recipe for rapid all-optical formation of spinor Bose–Einstein condensates

We present a simple recipe for the rapid formation of spinor Bose–Einstein condensates of 87Rb atoms in a three-beam crossed optical dipole trap (ODT). Two laser Gaussian beams were crossed at a small angle to form an effective single potential in the intersection region with an independent and widely tunable trap volume and aspect ratio, for both efficient atom loading and number density enhancement. A third Gaussian beam was then introduced to create a potential dimple at the trap center to further increase the atom number density and collision rate, which enabled rapid evaporation to a Bose condensation. In this configuration, atoms were loaded into the three-beam crossed trap from a vapor cell magneto-optical trap, and condensates of atoms were created after 3–5 s of rapid evaporation. The demonstration of efficient and robust BEC production in this ODT suggests the applicability of this trapping geometry to lasers with any far off-resonant wavelengths. To prepare the spinor condensates with a wide tunability of spin population, control of the magnetic fields was first employed during evaporation to polarize the spin states, and the tuning mechanism is discussed. Spinor condensates with an arbitrary spin population were then created via multiple microwave pulses driving the ground hyperfine transitions.

Revisiting the capture velocity of a cesium magneto-optical trap: model, simulation and experiment

In this work, we have explored ab initio the capture process in a magneto-optical trap by theory, simulation and experiment. We measured the capture velocity vc of a cesium vapor cell magneto-optical trap (VCMOT) from its capture rate R and developed an exact model for the capture rate of a VCMOT in terms of its capture velocity, background density and trap laser beam diameter. We measured the capture velocity of a cesium VCMOT for various trap laser intensities and magnetic field gradients. We observed that the capture velocity is a damping force as well as a restoring force phenomenon. We supported our findings by performing simulations for single atom trajectories in a 1D cesium MOT. Finally, we concluded that two MOTs can have the same capture velocities but very different capture rates, thereby revealing that these are two fundamentally different characteristics of the MOT.

Temperature of the Remaining Cold Atoms after Two-Step Photoionization in an 87Rb Vapor Cell Magneto-Optical Trap

The temperature of the remaining cold 87Rb atoms confined in a vapor cell magneto-optical trap after two-step photoionization has been measured. In the two-step photoionization process, the first excitation laser is served by the cooling laser and the second excitation laser is served by a continuous semiconductor laser with a wavelength of 450 nm. The results show that the temperature of the remaining cold atoms decreases as the intensity of the second excitation laser increases. Moreover, the relationship between the temperature T and number N of the remaining cold atoms generally follows a power law, while it deviates from the well-known T ∝ N1/3 and the power factor is smaller than 1/3. We propose that ion-atom collisions occurring during a photoionization process strongly influence the temperature scaling law in an optically dense magneto-optical trap in the presence of an ionization laser. In addition, the forced evaporative cooling due to the combined effect of the detuning of the first excitation laser and the two-step photoionization plays a role in cooling the remaining cold atoms and results in the dependence of the power factor on the detuning of the first excitation laser.

An experimental investigation of the trap-dynamics of a cesium magneto-optical trap at high laser intensities

We have developed Pakistan’s first magneto optical trap (MOT) in which we were able to capture as many as 2.8 × 109 Cs atoms and attain densities as high as 2 × 1011 atoms/cm3. The trap performance was optimized by varying the laser intensity from 50 mW/cm2 to 500 mW/cm2 as well as the magnetic field gradient from 5 G/cm to 20 G/cm. We have fully investigated the dynamics of the cesium vapor cell magneto-optical trap (VCMOT) by determining the capture rate L (atoms s−1), background collisional loss rate γ (s−1) and intra-trap excited-state collisional loss parameter β (cm3 s−1) of the cesium atoms in the trap. Also, the cloud expansion and compression with trap laser intensity and magnetic field gradient was observed. The MOT dynamics at high intensities is characterized by high capture rate (4 × 109 atoms/s), high densities, enhanced collisional losses (β ∼ 10−11 cm3 s−1) and cloud expansion due to radiation trapping. The intensities used in this study are the highest ever reported with the cesium MOT.

Atom number in magneto-optic traps with millimeter scale laser beams

We measure the number of atoms N trapped in a conventional vapor-cell magneto-optic trap (MOT) using beams that have a diameter d in the range 1-5 mm. We show that the N is proportional to d(3.6) scaling law observed for larger MOTs is a robust approximation for optimized MOTs with beam diameters as small as 3 mm. For smaller beams, the description of the scaling depends on how d is defined. The most consistent picture of the scaling is obtained when d is defined as the diameter where the intensity profile of the trapping beams decreases to the saturation intensity. Using this definition, N scales as d(6) for d<2.3 mm but, at larger d, N still scales as d(3.6).

Magneto-optical trap loading rate dependence on trap depth and vapor density

We study the dependence of the particle loading rate of a rubidium vapor cell magneto-optic trap (MOT). Using a trap depth determination of the MOT that relies on measurements of loss rates during optical excitation of colliding atoms to a repulsive molecular state, we experimentally determine the MOT escape velocity and show that the loading rate scales with escape velocity to the fourth power, or, equivalently, with the square of the trap depth. We also demonstrate that the loading rate is directly proportional to the background rubidium density. We thus experimentally confirm the loading rate model used in the literature since the invention of the MOT. In addition to confirming this long-standing conjecture, we show that the loading rate dependence can be used to reliably infer the trap depth and to tune the relative depth of a MOT (i.e., capture and escape velocities) when the background density is held fixed. The measurements have allowed an experimental determination of the relationship between capture and escape velocities in our MOTs of vc=1.29(0.12)ve.

Note: Investigation of atom transfer using a red-detuned push beam in a double magneto-optical trap setup

We present our results on transfer of cold (87)Rb atoms from a vapor cell magneto-optical trap to ultrahigh vacuum magneto-optical trap (UHV-MOT) using a red-detuned continuous wave push beam in a double-magneto-optical trap setup. We find that use of retro-reflected red-detuned push laser beam results in higher number in UHV-MOT than the number obtained without retro-reflection of push beam.

Single atoms transferring between a magneto-optical trap and a far-off-resonance optical dipole trap

Based on our work on single cesium atoms trapped in a large-magnetic-gradient vapour-cell magneto-optical trap (MOT), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is remarkably improved. Also a far-off-resonance optical dipole trap (FORT) formed by a strongly-focused 1064 nm single frequency Nd:YVO4 laser beam is introduced. One cesium atom is prepared in the MOT, and then it can transfer successfully between the MOT and the FORT which is overlapped with the MOT. Utilizing the effective transfer, the lifetime of single atoms trapped in the FORT is measured to be 6.9 ± 0.3 s. Thus we provide a system where the atomic qubit can be coherently manipulated.

A versatile and reliably reusable ultrahigh vacuum viewport

We present a viewport for use in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) based upon the preflattened solder seal design presented in earlier work [Cox et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 3185 (2003)]. The design features significant modifications to improve long term performance. The windows have been leak tested to less than 10(-10) atm cm(3)/s. From atom number measurements in an optical dipole trap loaded from a vapor cell magneto-optical trap inside a vacuum chamber accommodating these viewports, we measure a trap lifetime of 9.5 s suggesting a pressure of around 10(-10) Torr limited by background rubidium vapor pressure. We also present a simplified design where the UHV seal is made directly to a vacuum pipe.

Observation of single neutral atoms in a large-magnetic-gradient vapour-cell magneto-optical trap

Single caesium atoms in a large-magnetic-gradient vapour-cell magneto-optical trap have been identified. The trapping of individual atoms is marked by the steps in fluorescence signal corresponding to the capture or loss of single atoms. The typical magnetic gradient is about 29 mT/cm, which evidently reduces the capture rate of magneto-optical trap.

Continuously transferring cold atoms in caesium double magneto-optical trap

We have established a caesium double magneto-optical trap (MOT) system for cavity-QED experiment, and demonstrated the continuous transfer of cold caesium atoms from the vapour-cell MOT with a pressure of ~ 1?10?6 Pa to the ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) MOT with a pressure of ~ 8?10?8 Pa via a focused continuous-wave transfer laser beam. The effect of frequency detuning as well as the intensity of the transfer beam is systematically investigated, which makes the transverse cooling adequate before the atoms leak out of the vapour-cell MOT to reduce divergence of the cold atomic beam. The typical cold atomic flux got from vapour-cell MOT is ~ 2?107 atoms/s. About 5?106 caesium atoms are recaptured in the UHV MOT.

Cold ion–neutral collisions in a hybrid trap

A dual hybrid ion–neutral trap has been built to study collisions between a cloud of ultracold atoms and small numbers of co-trapped atomic or molecular ions, in a common volume. Ultracold Na atoms are trapped in a vapour-cell magneto-optical trap (MOT), via a single-mode frequency-stabilized ring-dye laser, with repumping. A linear rf quadrupole Paul ion trap, centred on the MOT, co-traps selected atomic or molecular ions, for example Ca+. Control of the initial ion temperature involves laser cooling Ca+ ions via the resonant Fraunhofer K line at 397 nm. We showed the rf ion trap can operate simultaneously with the MOT without destroying the ultracold atom cloud. The goal is to investigate the physics of ion–neutral sympathetic cooling, the cooling by neutrals of translationally cold and vibrorotationally hot molecular ions (e.g. Na2 +(v*, J*)), and the observation of other ion–neutral processes near 0 K, of potential interest in astrophysics.

Bose–Einstein condensation in a QUIC trap

The apparatus and procedure required to generate a pure Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) consisting of about half a million 87Rb atoms at a temperature of &lt;60 nK with a phase density of &gt;54 is described. The atoms are first laser cooled in a vapour cell magneto-optical trap (MOT) and subsequently transferred to an ultra-low pressure MOT. The atoms are loaded into a QUIC trap consisting of a pair of quadrupole coils and a Ioffe coil that generates a small finite magnetic field at the trap energy minimum to suppress Majorana transitions. Evaporation induced by an RF field lowers the temperature permitting the transition to BEC to be observed by monitoring the free expansion of the atoms after the trapping fields have been switched off.PACS Nos.: 03.75.Fi, 05.30.Jp, 32.80.Pj, 64.60.–i

A slow and dark atomic beam

We demonstrate a method to produce a very slow atomic beam from a vapor cell magneto-optical trap. Atoms are extracted from the trap using the radiation pressure imbalance caused by a push beam. An additional transfer beam placed near the center of the trap transfers the atomic beam into an off-resonant state. The velocity of the atomic beam has been varied by changing the intensity of the push beam or the position of the transfer beam. The method can be used to generate a continuous, magnetically guided atomic beam in a dark state.

Accumulation of cold cesium molecules via photoassociation in a mixed atomic and molecular trap.

We have realized a mixed atomic and molecular trap, constituted by a Cs vapor-cell magneto-optical trap and a quadrupolar magnetic C s(2) trap, using the same magnetic field gradient. We observed the trapping of 2x 10(5) molecules, formed and accumulated in the metastable a (3)Sigma(+ )(u) state at a temperature of 30+/-10 microK through a approximately 150 ms photoassociation process. The lifetime of the trapped molecular cloud limited by the Cs background gas pressure is on the order of 1 s.

Observation of cold state-selected cesium molecules formed by stimulated Raman photoassociation

We demonstrate the formation of cold ground-state ${\mathrm{Cs}}_{2}$ molecules (presumably in a single well-defined rovibrational level) by stimulated Raman photoassociation (PA) in a Cs vapor cell magneto-optical trap. Autler-Townes measurements allow us to precisely define the experimental conditions. The efficiency of the process is comparable to that of the formation of cold molecules obtained after spontaneous deexcitation of photoassociated molecules. Stimulated Raman PA should provide samples where the molecules are cold not only translationally, but are also in a selected rovibrational level.

A continuous cold atomic beam from a magneto-optical trap

We have developed and characterized a new method to produce a continuous beam of cold atoms from a standard vapour-cell magneto-optical trap (MOT). The experimental apparatus is very simple. Using a single laser beam it is possible to hollow out in the source MOT a direction of unbalanced radiation pressure along which cold atoms can be accelerated out of the trap. The transverse cooling process that takes place during the extraction reduces the beam divergence. The atomic beam is used to load a magneto-optical trap operating in an ultra-high vacuum environment. At a vapour pressure of 10-8mbar in the loading cell, we have produced a continuous flux of 7×107atoms/s at the recapture cell with a mean velocity of 14 m/s. A comparison of this method with a pulsed transfer scheme is presented.

Loading mechanism for atomic guides

We present a method of coupling laser-cooled atoms from a vapor-cell magneto-optic trap (MOT) into a magnetic atom guide. The axis of the four-wire quadrupole guide passes directly through the center of the MOT. The guide is tilted at a small angle with respect to the horizontal plane to facilitate the propagation of the atoms released from the MOT into the guide. We demonstrate the loading of ${10}^{5}{ }^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms into the guide and measure their propagation up to distances of 17 cm (limited by the guide length). The guide incorporates a tapered section in which the guide diameter reduces by a factor of about 3.

Loading a vapor-cell magneto-optic trap using light-induced atom desorption

Low intensity white light was used to increase the loading rate of $^{87}$Rb atoms into a vapor cell magneto-optic trap by inducing non-thermal desorption of Rb atoms from the stainless steel walls of the vapor cell. An increased Rb partial pressure reached a new equilibrium value in less than 10 seconds after switching on the broadband light source. After the source was turned off, the partial pressure returned to its previous value in $1/e$ times as short as 10 seconds.