Abstract
Optical lattices are stable periodic arrays of optical potentials that are capable of trapping and localizing atoms.1 We have created a three-dimensional optical lattice for metastable xenon by using four laser beams directed along +z ± x and −z ± y. This creates a tetragonal lattice with a periodicity of along x and y and creates half that along z. A weak probe is directed along z, and the absorption and gain near the lattice laser frequency are studied. Figure 1 shows a typical spectrum. Clearly visible are Raman sidebands at ±110 kHz, corresponding to stimulated Raman transitions between vibrational levels of the optical potentials. A narrow central feature with a width of less than 1 kHz is also present. The mechanism for the production of such a narrow central feature is as yet unknown. The dependence of this feature has been studied, and we offer speculation as to possible mechanisms. There are intriguing differences between these results in metastable xenon and results in cesium,2 which should be an almost identical system.
© 1995 Optical Society of America
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