Characteristics of integrated magneto-optical traps for atom chips

Samuel Pollock (1) , Joe C. Cotter (1) , Athanasios Laliotis (2) , Fernando Ramirez-Martinez (3) , E. A. Hinds (4)

1 Quantum Optics and Laser Science, Blackett Laboratory
2 LPL - Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers
3 SYRTE - Systèmes de Référence Temps Espace
4 Centre for Cold Matter

We investigate the operation of pyramidal magneto-optical traps (MOTs) microfabricated in silicon. Measurements of the loading and loss rates give insight into the role of the nearby surface in the MOT dynamics. Studies of the fluorescence versus laser frequency and intensity allow us to develop a simple theory of operation. The number of 85Rb atoms trapped in the pyramid is approximately L6, where L . 6 is the size in mm. This follows quite naturally from the relation between capture velocity and size and differs from the L3.6 often used to describe larger MOTs. Our results constitute substantial progress towards fully integrated atomic physics experiments and devices.

Domaines: Physique Atomique [physics.atom-ph]

Samuel Pollock, Joe C. Cotter, Athanasios Laliotis, Fernando Ramirez-Martinez, E. A. Hinds. Characteristics of integrated magneto-optical traps for atom chips. New Journal of Physics, 2011, 13, pp.043029. ⟨hal-00795273⟩