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Non-destructive spatial heterodyne imaging of cold atoms

S. Kadlecek·J. Sebby·R. Newell·T. G. Walker
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Abstract

We demonstrate a new method for non-destructive imaging of laser-cooled atoms. This spatial heterodyne technique forms a phase image by interfering a strong carrier laser beam with a weak probe beam that passes through the cold atom cloud. The figure of merit equals or exceeds that of phase-contrast imaging, and the technique can be used over a wider range of spatial scales. We show images of a dark spot MOT taken with imaging fluences as low as 61 pJ/cm^2 at a detuning of 11 linewidths, resulting in 0.0004 photons scattered per atom.

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S. Kadlecek, J. Sebby, R. Newell, T. G. Walker. 2000-09-26. Non-destructive spatial heterodyne imaging of cold atoms. https://doi.org/10.1364/ol.26.000137

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