Supercooling of Atoms in an Optical Resonator

TL;DR

This paper explores laser cooling of atoms in an optical cavity, showing that superradiance synchronization can produce giant frictional forces and ultra-low temperatures, with enhanced cooling rates for narrow linewidth transitions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel cooling mechanism leveraging superradiance in optical cavities, achieving lower temperatures and faster cooling than traditional methods.

Findings

Atomic temperatures can be significantly reduced via superradiant synchronization.

Cooling rates are enhanced for ultranarrow linewidth transitions.

Ultimate temperature limits are set by a modified atomic linewidth.

Abstract

We investigate laser cooling of an ensemble of atoms in an optical cavity. We demonstrate that when atomic dipoles are sychronized in the regime of steady-state superradiance, the motion of the atoms may be subject to a giant frictional force leading to potentially very low temperatures. The ultimate temperature limits are determined by a modified atomic linewidth, which can be orders of magnitude smaller than the cavity linewidth. The cooling rate is enhanced by the superradiant emission into the cavity mode allowing reasonable cooling rates even for dipolar transitions with ultranarrow linewidth.