Laser Cooling and Trapping of Neutral Atoms.
Abstract
This report demonstrated the deceleration of an atomic sodium beam by means of photon pressure. Near resonant light from a counter-propagating (cooling) laser beam is absorbed by the atoms, causing them to slow down. The deceleration is observed by means of Doppler velocity analysis using a second (probe) laser. We modulate the cooling laser on and off while using time resolved observation of the fluorescence induced by the second laser; this allows observation of the effects of the cooling laser when the cooling laser light is not present. We have used circularly polarized light and a strong magnetic field in the direction of the cooling laser to avoid optical pumping of the atoms, a process which limits the amount of momentum which can be transferred to the atoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA105750
Entities
People
- William D. Phillips
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology