Laser Cooling and Trapping of Neutral Atoms.
Abstract
Recent proposals for laser trapping of neutral atoms require that the trapped atoms have very low kinetic energy. We have studied the technique of cooling free neutral atoms using radiation pressure and have examined some of the processes which limit the cooling. In particular, we have found large and previously unexpected effects due to optical pumping which not only impair cooling but mask the effects of cooling, making the interpretation of experiments ambiguous. We propose methods for reducing the ambiguity in atom cooling experiments and for alleviating the effects of optical pumping which inhibit cooling. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA090760
Entities
People
- William D. Phillips
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology