Ultraviolet light-induced atom desorption for large rubidium and potassium magneto-optical traps
- Institut fuer Quantenoptik, Universitaet Hannover, Welfengarten 1, D-30167 Hannover (Germany)
We show that light-induced atom desorption (LIAD) can be used as a flexible atomic source for large {sup 87}Rb and {sup 40}K magneto-optical traps. The use of LIAD at short wavelengths allows for fast switching of the desired vapor pressure and permits experiments with long trapping and coherence times. The wavelength dependence of the LIAD effect for both species was explored in a range from 630 to 253 nm in an uncoated quartz cell and a stainless steel chamber. Only a few mW/cm{sup 2} of near-UV light produce partial pressures that are high enough to saturate a magneto-optical trap at 3.5x10{sup 9} {sup 87}Rb atoms or 7x10{sup 7} {sup 40}K atoms. Loading rates as high as 1.2x10{sup 9} {sup 87}Rb atoms/s and 8x10{sup 7} {sup 40}K atoms/s were achieved without the use of a secondary atom source. After the desorption light is turned off, the pressure quickly decays back to equilibrium with a time constant as short as 200 {mu}s, allowing for long trapping lifetimes after the MOT loading phase.
- OSTI ID:
- 20786739
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. A, Vol. 73, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.73.013410; (c) 2006 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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