Abstract
We examine sub-Doppler laser cooling in a one-dimensional optical molasses with σ+−σ. polarization, focusing on limitations introduced by the application of a magnetic field parallel to the laser beams. Cooling atoms in this configuration depends on a velocity-sensitive cooperation between multiphoton coherences and spontaneous optical pumping. The combination induces an atomic orientation which, by virtue of selection rules, makes the atom absorb strongly from the laser beam opposing its velocity. If an atom has different Landé g factors in its ground and excited states, the cooperation between coherent and incoherent processes is inhibited by the presence of a magnetic field. The efficiency of cooling therefore decreases.
© 1992 Optical Society of America
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