Trapping of 85Rb atoms by optical pumping between metastable hyperfine states

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel atom trapping method using differential optical pumping between metastable hyperfine states, achieving trap stiffness comparable to magneto-optical traps and demonstrating successful trapping of 85Rb atoms.

Contribution

The paper presents a new trapping mechanism based on optical pumping without magnetic fields, enabling flexible trap shapes and comparable spring constants to traditional methods.

Findings

Successfully trapped ~10,000 85Rb atoms in a proof-of-principle experiment.

Demonstrated trap spring constants matching or exceeding magneto-optical traps.

Achieved flexible trap geometries using differential optical pumping.

Abstract

We describe an atom trapping mechanism based upon differential optical pumping between metastable hyperfine states by partially-displaced laser beams in the absence of a magnetic field. With realistic laser powers, trap spring constants should match or exceed those typical of magneto-optical traps, and highly flexible tailored trap shapes should be achievable. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we have combined a 1D implementation with magneto-optical trapping in the orthogonal directions, capturing ~10000 85Rb atoms. This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article published in J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at http://iopscience.iop.org/0953-4075/46/21/215003/article.