Abstract

Approximately 10⁷ cesium atoms are captured in a magneto-optical trap (MOT)¹ by using high-power diode lasers. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the experimental arrangement. There are three pairs of orthogonal laser beams, all circularly polarized. As the trapping coil is turned off, the laser detuning is increased to cool the atoms. The atoms end up with a temperature of a few micro-kelvins in optical molasses in which the confinement is due only to the laser beams. Acousto-optic modulators are used to launch the atoms in an upward- moving molasses.²

© 1993 Optical Society of America