Abstract

Optical spectroscopy of the highest resolution is currently limited by processes such as second-order Doppler broadening and transit time broadening, which are related to atomic velocity.¹ Similarly, determination of the microwave hyperfine frequency of cesium, which defines the second, is limited in large part by velocity related effects.² Using laser cooling we have produced a very slow, nearly monoenergetic atomic sodium beam. Similar laser- cooled beams may solve many problems which now limit spectral resolution and the performance of time and frequency standards.

© 1983 Optical Society of America