Abstract
Optical trapping and cooling of atoms at high densities is limited by strong absorption of both the incident laser light and the emitted fluorescence. Reabsorption of the emitted fluorescence gives rise to repulsive forces between the trapped atoms and also to additional heating thus limiting both density and ultimate temperature. We have recently demonstrated a method to avoid these effects by shelving most of the atoms being trapped or cooled in a dark hyperfine state. At any instant, about one percent of the atoms are in the bright state where the trapping and cooling forces are exerted. This scheme ensures transparency of the atom cloud at very high optical densities.
© 1994 Optical Society of America
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