Scaling laws for large magneto-optical traps

Multiple scattering of light has been the main limitation of the maximum atomic density achievable in magneto-optical traps (MOTs). We present a detailed experimental investigation of the size and density scaling laws for large MOTs with up to N=1010 atoms, larger than those usually studied in detail. Most of our observations can be explained with previous models and only a few regimes show unexplained deviations. We also propose a new repulsion mechanism, based on the rescattered repumper photons that might limit the atomic density of atoms when the optical thickness for repumper light becomes important, adding an additional ingredient in the complexity of large MOTs.

[1]  L. He,et al.  Three dimensional cooling and trapping with a narrow line , 2007, 0704.0855.

[2]  D. Guéry-Odelin,et al.  Strong saturation absorption imaging of dense clouds of ultracold atoms. , 2007, Optics letters.

[3]  R. Kaiser,et al.  Long Range Interactions Between Neutral Atoms , 2006 .

[4]  R. Kaiser,et al.  Self-driven nonlinear dynamics in magneto-optical traps , 2006, physics/0602075.

[5]  R. Kaiser,et al.  Self-sustained oscillations in a large magneto-optical trap. , 2005, Physical review letters.

[6]  K. Overstreet,et al.  Multiple scattering and the density distribution of a Cs MOT. , 2005, Optics express.

[7]  W. Jhe,et al.  Direct observation of the sub-Doppler trap in a parametrically driven magneto-optical trap , 2004 .

[8]  V. Bagnato,et al.  Creating a self-induced dark spontaneous-force optical trap for neutral atoms , 2004, physics/0402106.

[9]  G. Labeyrie,et al.  Coherent backscattering of light by cold atoms , 1999, Conference Digest. 2000 International Quantum Electronics Conference (Cat. No.00TH8504).

[10]  J. H. Müller,et al.  Scaling laws in magneto-optical traps , 1997 .

[11]  Cooper,et al.  High-density trapping of cesium atoms in a dark magneto-optical trap. , 1996, Physical review. A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics.

[12]  Cooper,et al.  Phase-space density in the magneto-optical trap. , 1995, Physical review. A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics.

[13]  M. Anderson,et al.  Behavior of atoms in a compressed magneto-optical trap , 1994 .

[14]  Pritchard,et al.  High densities of cold atoms in a dark spontaneous-force optical trap. , 1993, Physical review letters.

[15]  C. Foot,et al.  Radiation force in the magneto-optical trap , 1992 .

[16]  Stephens,et al.  Experimental and theoretical study of the vapor-cell Zeeman optical trap. , 1992, Physical review. A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics.

[17]  S. Chu,et al.  Improved magneto-optic trapping in a vapor cell. , 1992, Optics letters.

[18]  Carl E. Wieman,et al.  Behavior of neutral atoms in a spontaneous force trap , 1991 .

[19]  Robinson,et al.  Very cold trapped atoms in a vapor cell. , 1990, Physical review letters.

[20]  Walker,et al.  Collective behavior of optically trapped neutral atoms. , 1990, Physical review letters.

[21]  C. cohen-tannoudji,et al.  Laser cooling below the Doppler limit by polarization gradients: simple theoretical models , 1989 .

[22]  J. Dalibard.  Laser cooling of an optically thick gas: The simplest radiation pressure trap? , 1988 .

[23]  C. cohen-tannoudji,et al.  Laser cooling below the one-photon recoil by velocity-selective coherent population trapping. , 1988, Physical review letters.