Optical repumping of triplet $P$-states enhances magneto-optical trapping of ytterbium atoms

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that optical repumping of metastable triplet P-states significantly improves the number of ytterbium atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap by mitigating losses due to radiative decay.

Contribution

The study introduces an effective optical repumping scheme for Yb atoms that enhances trapping efficiency by reducing decay losses to metastable states.

Findings

Repumping increases trapped atom yield in the excited $^1P_1$ state.

Decay rates to metastable states match theoretical predictions.

Optical repumping effectively mitigates radiative decay losses.

Abstract

Radiative decay from the excited $^1P_1$ state to metastable $^3P_2$ and $^3P_0$ states is expected to limit attainable trapped atomic population in a magneto-optic trap of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. In experiments we have carried out with optical repumping of $^3P_{0,2}$ states to $^3P_1$, we observe enhancement of trapped atoms yield in the excited $^1P_1$ state. The individual decay rate to each metastable state is measured and the results show an excellent agreement with the theoretical values.