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Properties of Microelectromagnet Mirrors as Reflectors of Cold Rb Atoms

M. Drndic·G. Zabow·C. S. Lee·J. H. Thywissen·K. S. Johnson·M. Prentiss·R. M. Westervelt·P. D. Featonby·V. Savalli·L. Cognet·K. Helmerson·N. Westbrook·C. I. Westbrook·W. D. Phillips·A. Aspect
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Abstract

Cryogenically cooled microelectromagnet mirrors were used to reflect a cloud of free-falling laser-cooled 85Rb atoms at normal incidence. The mirrors consisted of microfabricated current-carrying Au wires in a periodic serpentine pattern on a sapphire substrate. The fluorescence from the atomic cloud was imaged after it had bounced off a mirror. The transverse width of the cloud reached a local minimum at an optimal current corresponding to minimum mirror roughness. A distinct increase in roughness was found for mirror configurations with even versus odd number of lines. These observations confirm theoretical predictions.

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M. Drndic, G. Zabow, C. S. Lee, J. H. Thywissen, K. S. Johnson, M. Prentiss, R. M. Westervelt, P. D. Featonby, V. Savalli, L. Cognet, K. Helmerson, N. Westbrook, C. I. Westbrook, W. D. Phillips, A. Aspect. 1999-08-19. Properties of Microelectromagnet Mirrors as Reflectors of Cold Rb Atoms. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.60.4012

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