Abstract
We report on a system for atomic beam deceleration and magneto-optical trapping of calcium atoms that uses the transition, in which a single laser is used to trap and slow the atoms. The slower laser beam is focused near the magneto-optical trap’s center, which has a waist size much smaller than the atomic cloud such that its influence on the trapped atoms is greatly reduced. We also investigate the theoretical possibility of cooling by use of a two-photon transition. Excitation near resonance with the level results in an equilibrium temperature seven times smaller than the Doppler limit of the transition.
© 2003 Optical Society of America
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