Optimized loading of an optical dipole trap for the production of chromium BECs

We report on a strategy to maximize the number of chromium atoms transferred from a magneto-optical trap into an optical trap through accumulation in metastable states via strong optical pumping. We analyse how the number of atoms in a chromium Bose–Einstein condensate can be raised by a proper hand...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Lasers and optics, 2011, Vol.102 (1), p.1-9
Main Authors: Bismut, G., Pasquiou, B., Ciampini, D., Laburthe-Tolra, B., Maréchal, E., Vernac, L., Gorceix, O.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atomic Physics
Atomic properties
Chromium
Condensed Matter
Engineering
Holes
Laser diodes
Lasers
Metastable state
Optical Devices
Optical pumping
Optics
Photonics
Physical Chemistry
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Quantum Gases
Quantum Optics
Strategy
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Summary:We report on a strategy to maximize the number of chromium atoms transferred from a magneto-optical trap into an optical trap through accumulation in metastable states via strong optical pumping. We analyse how the number of atoms in a chromium Bose–Einstein condensate can be raised by a proper handling of the metastable state populations. Four laser diodes have been implemented to address the four levels that are populated during the MOT phase. The individual importance of each state is specified. To stabilize two of our laser diode, we have developed a simple ultrastable passive reference cavity whose long term stability is better than 1 MHz.
ISSN:0946-2171
1432-0649
DOI:10.1007/s00340-010-4171-y