Properties of Microelectromagnet Mirrors as Reflectors of Cold Rb Atoms

Cryogenically cooled microelectromagnet mirrors were used to reflect a cloud of free-falling laser-cooled 85Rb atoms at normal incidence. The mirrors consisted of microfabricated current-carrying Au wires in a periodic serpentine pattern on a sapphire substrate. The fluorescence from the atomic clou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 1999-08
Main Authors: Drndic, M, Zabow, G, Lee, C S, Thywissen, J H, Johnson, K S, Prentiss, M, Westervelt, R M, Featonby, P D, Savalli, V, Cognet, L, Helmerson, K, Westbrook, N, Westbrook, C I, Phillips, W D, Aspect, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clouds
Fluorescence
Laser cooling
Reflectors
Roughness
Sapphire
Serpentine
Substrates
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Cryogenically cooled microelectromagnet mirrors were used to reflect a cloud of free-falling laser-cooled 85Rb atoms at normal incidence. The mirrors consisted of microfabricated current-carrying Au wires in a periodic serpentine pattern on a sapphire substrate. The fluorescence from the atomic cloud was imaged after it had bounced off a mirror. The transverse width of the cloud reached a local minimum at an optimal current corresponding to minimum mirror roughness. A distinct increase in roughness was found for mirror configurations with even versus odd number of lines. These observations confirm theoretical predictions.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.9908038