Bichromatic force on metastable Argon for Atom Trap Trace Analysis

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first application of the bichromatic force on metastable argon-40, achieving a force three times stronger than the traditional scattering force, with implications for atom trap trace analysis.

Contribution

It introduces the bichromatic force to metastable argon-40 and characterizes its dependence on experimental parameters, advancing atom trapping techniques.

Findings

Bichromatic force measured to be three times stronger than scattering force.

Dependence of force on Rabi frequency, phase difference, and detuning analyzed.

Potential application in high-flux noble gas atom trap trace analysis.

Abstract

For an efficient performance of Atom Trap Trace Analysis, it is important to collimate the particles emitted from an effusive source. Their high velocity limits the interaction time with the cooling laser. Therefore forces beyond the limits of the scattering force are desirable. The bichromatic force is a promising candidate for this purpose which is demonstrated here for the first time on metastable argon-40. The precollimated atoms are detected in one dimension and the acquired Doppler shift is detected by absorption spectroscopy. With the experimentally accessible parameters, it was possible to measure a force three times stronger than the scattering force. Systematic studies on its dependence on Rabi frequency, phase difference and detuning to atomic resonance are comparedto the solution of the optical Bloch equations. We anticipate predictions for a possible application in Atom Trap Trace Analysis of argon-39 and other noble gas experiments, where a high flux of metastable atoms is needed.