Atom trapping in deeply bound states of a far-off-resonance optical lattice

 

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D.L. Haycock, S.E. Hamann, G. Klose, and P.S. Jessen

Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
 

We form a one-dimensional optical lattice for Cs atoms using light detuned a few thousand linewidths below atomic resonance. Atoms are selectively loaded into deeply bound states by adiabatic transfer from a super-imposed, near-resonance optical lattice. This yields a mean vibrational excitation 0.3 and localization zl/20. Light scattering subsequently heats the atoms, but the initial rate is only of order 0.001 vibrational quanta per oscillation period. Low vibrational excitation, strong localization, and low heating rates make these atoms good candidates for resolved-sideband Raman cooling.
 

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Temperature and localization of atoms in three-dimensional optical lattices

 

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M. Gatzke, G. Birkl, P.S. Jessen, A. Kastberg, S.L. Rolston, and W.D. Phillips
 

We report temperature measurements of atoms trapped in a three-dimensional (3D) optical lattice, a well-defined laser-cooling situation that can be treated with currently available theoretical tools. We also obtain fluorescence spectra from a 3D optical lattice, from which we obtain quantitative information about the trapping atoms, including the oscillation frequencies, spatial localization, and a temperature, which is in good agreement with our direct measurements. For comparison we study a 1D lattice using the same atom (cesium).
 

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Optical Lattices

 

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P.S. Jessen Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Atizona I.H. Deutsch Center for Advanced Studies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
 

No abstract available
 

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Two-dimensional motion of cold atoms in a near-resonant annular laser beam: artificial two-dimensional molecules

 

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E. M. Wright, P. S. Jessen, G. J. Lapeyere

Optical Science Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
Department of Physics, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 8572

 

We develop the theory of the two-dimensional motion of cold atoms in a near-resonant annular laser beam. For a red-detuned field the laser beam provides an annular light shift potential and the atomic motion divides into vibrational and rotational normal motions analogous to a two-dimensional molecule. In the ground vibrational state we obtain an atom optics realization of a two-dimensional rotator. We illustrate the novel physics which may be explored with this system by showing that gravity acts analogously to a static electric field applied to a charged rotator.
 

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Adiabatic Cooling of Cesium to 700 nK in an Optical Lattice

 

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A. Kastberg, W.D. Phillips, S.L. Rolston, R.J.C. Spreeuw, and P. S. Jessen
 

We localize Cs atoms in wavelength-sized potential wells of an optical lattice, and cool them to a three-dimensional temperature of 700 nK by adiabatic expansion. In the optical lattice we precool the atoms to ~1 μK. We then reduce the trapping potential in a few hundred μs, causing the atomic center-of-mass distribution to expand and the temperature to decrease by an amount which agrees with a simple 3D band theory. These are the lowest 3D kinetic temperatures ever measured.
 

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