Model-Independent Measurement of the Excited Fraction In a Magneto-Optical Trap

Authors

M. H. Shah, Kansas State University
H. A. Camp, Kansas State University
M. L. Trachy, Kansas State University
G. Veshapidze, Kansas State University
M.A. Gearba, University of Southern Mississippi
B.D. DePaola, Kansas State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2007

Department

Physics and Astronomy

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

In many experiments involving a magneto-optical trap (MOT) it is of great importance to know the fraction of atoms placed in an excited state due to the trapping process. Generally speaking, researchers have had to use overly simplistic and untested models to estimate this fraction. In this work, the excited fractions of ⁸⁷Rb atoms in a MOT are directly measured using a charge transfer technique, for a range of MOT parameters. Simple models are then fit to the measured fractions. Using the results of this work, the excited fraction of ⁸⁷Rb atoms trapped in a MOT can be accurately estimated with knowledge of only the trapping laser intensity and detuning. The results are, at most, only weakly dependent on other MOT parameters.

Comments

©Physical Review A
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.75.053418

Publication Title

Physical Review A

Volume

75

Issue

5

Recommended Citation

Shah, M., Camp, H., Trachy, M., Veshapidze, G., Gearba, M., DePaola, B. (2007). Model-Independent Measurement of the Excited Fraction In a Magneto-Optical Trap. Physical Review A, 75(5).
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/2019