Optical Frequency Standard in Trapped Atomic Hydrogen
Abstract
Our goal to improve the effectiveness of atom cooling by using radio-frequency evaporation was met early in the grant period, and we obtained temperatures and densities close to those needed for Bose-Einstein condensation. Consequently, we deferred our work on high resolution optical spectroscopy of hydrogen while we pursued BEC. We obtained BEC last June, using new spectroscopic methods to identify the onset of the transition and to characterize the condensate. Briefly, we found that the mean field interaction at high densities measurably shifts the 1S-2S spectral line, and that the frequency shift can be used to measure the density in situ. From the point of creating an optical frequency standard, it is essential to know this frequency shift, since the density must be kept sufficiently low that the shift is not a source of error.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA362776
Entities
People
- Daniel Kleppner
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology