We have trapped 40K in a vapor-cell magneto-optical trap starting from a natural abundance sample. This rare, weakly radioactive atom is a fermion. The number of trapped atoms is approximately 8000, with a density of ∼10^8 atoms/cm^3. Contrary to what is observed for the other isotopes of potassium, our data indicate that temperatures lower than the Doppler-cooling limit can be reached for 40K. We discuss the interest of these results in view of possible experiments to study a degenerate Fermi gas.
Magneto-optical trapping of Fermionic potassium atoms
Ricci, Leonardo;
1998-01-01
Abstract
We have trapped 40K in a vapor-cell magneto-optical trap starting from a natural abundance sample. This rare, weakly radioactive atom is a fermion. The number of trapped atoms is approximately 8000, with a density of ∼10^8 atoms/cm^3. Contrary to what is observed for the other isotopes of potassium, our data indicate that temperatures lower than the Doppler-cooling limit can be reached for 40K. We discuss the interest of these results in view of possible experiments to study a degenerate Fermi gas.File in questo prodotto:
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