Abstract

In previous experiments we have guided excited state helium atoms through hollow optical fibres [1]. We employ helium atoms in the metastable 2³S₁ state, and utilise the 1083 nm transition to the 2³P₂ state to manipulate the atomic trajectories. For these atom guiding experiments, metastable helium has the inherent advantages of near unity detection efficiency and low background counts, since metastable helium de-excites on collision with the fibre wall.

© 2000 IEEE