We propose a new method to cool gaseous samples of neutral atoms. The gas is confined in a non dissipative optical trap in the presence of an homogeneous magnetic field. The method accumulates atoms in the mF = 0 Zeeman sub-level. Cooling occurs via collisions that produce atoms in mF ≠ 0 states. Thanks to the second order Zeeman effect kinetic energy is transformed into internal energy and recycling of atoms is ensured by optical pumping. This method may allow quantum degeneracy to be reached by purely optical means.
Collision-assisted Zeeman cooling of neutral atoms / Ferrari, G.. - In: THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. D, ATOMIC, MOLECULAR AND OPTICAL PHYSICS. - ISSN 1434-6060. - 13:1(2001), pp. 67-70. [10.1007/PL00011156]
Collision-assisted Zeeman cooling of neutral atoms
Ferrari G.
2001-01-01
Abstract
We propose a new method to cool gaseous samples of neutral atoms. The gas is confined in a non dissipative optical trap in the presence of an homogeneous magnetic field. The method accumulates atoms in the mF = 0 Zeeman sub-level. Cooling occurs via collisions that produce atoms in mF ≠ 0 states. Thanks to the second order Zeeman effect kinetic energy is transformed into internal energy and recycling of atoms is ensured by optical pumping. This method may allow quantum degeneracy to be reached by purely optical means.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione
