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Localization of atoms in light fields: Optical molasses, adiabatic compression and squeezing

  • Cold Atoms, Atom Traps
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Abstract

We present a theoretical study of the localization1 of atoms with an angular momentumJ g=3 toJ e=4 transition (e.g., chromium atoms) in quantized optical molasses created by two counterpropagating linearly polarized laser beams. We study the localization as a function of the potential depth, the angle between the polarizations and the interaction time with the molasses in the low-intensity limit, and discuss the possibility of adiabatic compression and squeezing of the atomic distribution.

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Dedicated to H. Walther on the occasion of his 60th birthday

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Marksteiner, S., Walser, R., Marte, P. et al. Localization of atoms in light fields: Optical molasses, adiabatic compression and squeezing. Appl. Phys. B 60, 145–153 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01135856

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01135856

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