Single-laser, one beam, tetrahedral magneto-optical trap

Vangeleyn, Matthieu and Griffin, Paul F. and Riis, Erling and Arnold, Aidan S. (2009) Single-laser, one beam, tetrahedral magneto-optical trap. Optics Express, 17 (16). pp. 13601-13608. ISSN 1094-4087 (https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.013601)

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Abstract

We have realized a 4-beam pyramidal magneto-optical trap ideally suited for future microfabrication. Three mirrors split and steer a single incoming beam into a tripod of reflected beams, allowing trapping in the four-beam overlap volume. We discuss the influence of mirror angle on cooling and trapping, finding optimum efficiency in a tetrahedral configuration. We demonstrate the technique using an ex-vacuo mirror system to illustrate the previously inaccessible supra-plane pyramid MOT configuration. Unlike standard pyramidal MOTs both the pyramid apex and its mirror angle are non-critical and our MOT offers improved molasses free from atomic shadows in the laser beams. The MOT scheme naturally extends to a 2-beam refractive version with high optical access. For quantum gas experiments, the mirror system could also be used for a stable 3D tetrahedral optical lattice.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:19015
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    3 August 2009
    Published
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Strathprints Administrator
    Date deposited:24 May 2010 09:11
    Last modified:17 Apr 2024 18:57
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/19015
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