A pyramidal magneto-optical trap as a source of slow atoms

Arlt, J. J., Marago, O., Webster, S., Hopkins, S. and Foot, C. J. (1998) A pyramidal magneto-optical trap as a source of slow atoms. Optics Communications, 157(1-6), pp. 303-309. (doi: 10.1016/S0030-4018(98)00499-4)

Abstract

We have constructed and characterised a novel source of slow atoms based on a pyramidal magneto optical trap with a small hole at its vertex. Atoms are first captured in the trap and then pushed through the hole by a laser beam. The size and velocity of the resulting pulses of atoms were measured. The flux of cold atoms was 1.1×109 atoms/s and the apparatus is readily scaleable to obtain higher fluxes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Webster, Dr Stephen
• Authors: Arlt, J. J., Marago, O., Webster, S., Hopkins, S., and Foot, C. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Optics Communications
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0030-4018
• ISSN (Online): 1873-0310