Velocity-Tunable Magneto-Optical -Trap-Based Cold Cs Atomic Beam
Abstract
In this paper, the authors report on their observation and investigation of a MOT-based, low-velocity Cs atomic beam for atomic clock applications. A continuous Cs atomic beam is generated from a vapor-cell magneto-optical trap (MOT) of Cs atoms by forming a leak tunnel along one of the trapping laser beams. The mean velocity of the cold Cs beam is measured by the time of flight (TOF) technique to be 7.3 m/s with a velocity spread of 1 m/s under nominal experimental conditions. By adjusting the MOT parameters, they are able to tune the Cs-beam velocity from 5 m/s to 8.5 m/s while the velocity spread remains to be 1 m/s. The Cs beam has an instantaneous atomic flux of 3.6 x 10(exp 10) atoms/s when operated in pulsed mode and an estimated continuous beam flux of 2 x 10(exp 8) atoms/s. The acceleration kinetics of the Cs beam in the acceleration region is analyzed and simulated. Their theoretical model reveals that the MOT inhomogeneous magnetic field and the varying Doppler shift along the atomic beam propagation play an important role in determining the final velocity of the Cs atomic beam. The numerical results of the atomic beam velocity on MOT parameters agree well with the measurements. (6 figures, 15 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA420149
Entities
People
- Hao Wang
- W. F. Buell
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation