https://doi.org/10.1007/s100530050125
Observation of bistability in a perturbed magneto-optical trap
Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, Atomes et Molécules,
Centre d'Études et de Recherches Laser et Applications,
Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille,
59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
Corresponding authors: a wilkow@mailbox.difi.unipi.it - b garreau@lsh.univ-lille1.fr - c daniel@lsh.univ-lille1.fr
Received:
5
November
1997
Revised:
13
March
1998
Accepted:
24
March
1998
Published online: 15 May 1998
We report on the experimental observation of bistability in a magneto-optical trap perturbed by a focalized laser beam. This bistability is theoretically interpreted by studing the atomic losses induced by the perturbing beam. Comparison with a Monte Carlo model allows us to deduce the trap capture velocity along the perturbing beam.
PACS: 32.80.Pj – Optical cooling of atoms; trapping / 42.50.Vk – Mechanical effects of light on atoms, molecules, electrons, and ions / 42.65.Sf – Dynamics of nonlinear optical systems; optical instabilities, optical chaos and complexity and optical spatio-temporal dynamics
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 1998
