On-axis calcium magneto-optical trap loaded with a focused decelerating laser

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Lasers and optics, 2004, Vol.78 (1), p.49-52
• Main Authors: CAVASSO, R. L, MANOEL, D. A, ORTEGA, D. R, SCALABRIN, A, PEREIRA, D, CRUZ, F. C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic and molecular beam sources and techniques; Atomic and molecular physics; Atomic properties and interactions with photons; Exact sciences and technology; Mechanical control of atoms, molecules and ions; Optical cooling of atoms; trapping; Photon interactions with atoms; Physics
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-003-1355-8

We report on a simple scheme to efficiently load an on-axis magneto-optical trap (MOT) from a decelerated atomic beam, which avoids perturbation by radiation pressure from the decelerating laser. This has been tightly focused near the MOT center, with a waist size much smaller than the atomic cloud. For comparison, and in order to test the efficiency of this non-optimum deceleration geometry we have employed a second, independent decelerating laser, with a profile mode matched to the atomic beam. Using a Calcium MOT, good performance has been achieved and for an oven temperature of 580 C we loaded 1.2{/content/L3484QB1136682JQ/xxlarge8201.gif}(2){/content/L3484QB 1 136682JQ/xxlarge8201.gif}X10 atoms in 16{/content/L3484QB1136682JQ/xxlarge8201.gif}(1){/content/L3484QB1 1 36682JQ/xxlarge8201.gif}ms. The technique described here has been essential for the sensitive detection of cold collisions, which represent minor losses in MOTs of alkaline-earth metal elements (R.L. Cavasso-Filho, A. Scalabrin, D. Pereira, F.C. Cruz: Phys. Rev. A, 67, 021402(R) (2003)).