1 research outputs found
A magneto-optical trap with millimeter ball lenses
We present a magneto-optical trap (MOT) design based on millimeter ball
lenses, contained within a metal cube of 0.75 side length. We
present evidence of trapping approximately of Rb atoms
with a number density of atoms/cm and a loading time of
1.3 s. Measurement and a kinetic laser-cooling model are used to characterize
the atom trap design. The design provides several advantages over other types
of MOTs: the laser power requirement is low, the small lens and cube sizes
allow for miniaturization of MOT applications, and the lack of large-diameter
optical beam pathways prevents external blackbody radiation from entering the
trapping region.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure