Long-distance channeling of cold atoms exiting a 2D magneto-optical trap by a Laguerre–Gaussian laser beam

Abstract

Using a blue-detuned laser, shaped into a nearly Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) donut mode, we channel atoms exiting a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D-MOT) over a 30 cm distance. Compared to a freely propagating beam, the atomic flux ($\sim {10}^{10}\mathrm{at}/\mathrm{s}$) is conserved whereas the divergence is reduced from 40 to 3 mrad. So, 30 cm far the 2D-MOT exit, the atomic beam has a 1 mm diameter and the atomic density is increased by a factor of $\sim 200$. The LG-channeled-2D-MOT has been studied versus the order of the LG mode (from 2 to 10) and versus the laser-atom frequency detuning (from 2 to 120 GHz).

© 2014 Optical Society of America

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