https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2005-00094-8
Full characterization of the loading of a magneto–optical trap from an alkali metal dispenser
1
LNS–INFN and Laboratorio di Informazione Quantistica Scuola Superiore di Catania, via
S. Paolo 73, 95123 Catania, Italy
2
European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS),
via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
3
CRS–MATIS, Dipartimento di Fisica,
Università di Catania, via S. Sofia 64, 95124 Catania, Italy
4
IMM–CNR, Stradale Primosole
50, 95121 Catania, Italy
Corresponding author: a fsc@lens.unifi.it
Received:
18
January
2005
Revised:
2
May
2005
Published online:
14
June
2005
We present an experimental study of the dynamics of a magneto–optical trap (MOT) loaded from an alkali dispenser current controlled source. In our experimental vacuum conditions and for a low trapping force MOT the trap loading process critically depends on the dispensers working regime. This allows to completely characterize the dispensers–MOT system and to determine the best loading conditions.
PACS: 32.80.Pj – Optical cooling of atoms; trapping / 42.50.Vk – Mechanical effects of light on atoms, molecules, electrons, and ions
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2005
