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Creating a self-induced dark spontaneous-force optical trap for neutral atoms

S. R. Muniz·K. M. F. Magalhães·E. A. L. Henn·L. G. Marcassa·V. S. Bagnato
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Abstract

This communication describes the observation of a new type of dark spontaneous-force optical trap (dark SPOT) obtained without the use of a mask blocking the central part of the repumper laser beam. We observe that loading a magneto-optical trap (MOT) from a continuous and intense flux of slowed atoms and by appropriately tuning the frequency of the repumper laser is possible to achieve basically the same effect of the dark SPOT, using a simpler apparatus. This work characterizes the new system through measurements of absorption and fluorescence imaging of the atomic cloud and presents a very simple model to explain the main features of our observations. We believe that this new approach may simplify the current experiments to produce quantum degenerated gases.

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S. R. Muniz, K. M. F. Magalhães, E. A. L. Henn, L. G. Marcassa, V. S. Bagnato. 2004-02-20. Creating a self-induced dark spontaneous-force optical trap for neutral atoms. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2004.02.062

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