Fluorescence spectra of atoms in a phase-stabilized magneto-optical trap as an optical lattice

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that a phase-stabilized magneto-optical trap functions as a three-dimensional optical lattice, with fluorescence spectra revealing vibrational modes and spectral features characteristic of lattice behavior.

Contribution

It provides the first systematic analysis of a MOT acting as an optical lattice using photon-counting heterodyne spectroscopy.

Findings

Observation of narrow Rayleigh peak and Raman sidebands in fluorescence spectra.

Identification of vibrational frequencies consistent with optical lattice behavior.

Systematic variation of trap conditions affects spectral lineshapes and vibrational modes.

Abstract

We present a study on characteristics of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) as an optical lattice. Fluorescence spectra of atoms trapped in a MOT with a passively phase-stabilized beam configuration have been measured by means of the photon-counting heterodyne spectroscopy. We observe a narrow Rayleigh peak and well-resolved Raman sidebands in the fluorescence spectra which clearly show that the MOT itself behaves as a three-dimensional optical lattice. Optical-lattice-like properties of the phase-stabilized MOT such as vibrational frequencies and lineshapes of Rayleigh peak and Raman sidebands are investigated systematically for various trap conditions.