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arXiv · 1011.5538

Counting atoms in a deep optical microtrap

Matthew McGovern·Andrew Hilliard·Tzahi Grünzweig·Mikkel F. Andersen
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Abstract

We demonstrate a method to count small numbers of atoms held in a deep, microscopic optical dipole trap by collecting fluorescence from atoms exposed to a standing wave of light that is blue detuned from resonance. While scattering photons, the atoms are also cooled by a Sisyphus mechanism that results from the spatial variation in light intensity. The use of a small blue detuning limits the losses due to light assisted collisions, thereby making the method suitable for counting several atoms in a microscopic volume.

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Matthew McGovern, Andrew Hilliard, Tzahi Grünzweig, Mikkel F. Andersen. 2011-01-17. Counting atoms in a deep optical microtrap. https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.36.001041

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