title: Single atoms in an optical dipole trap: towards a deterministic source of cold atoms
abstract: We describe a simple experimental technique which allows us to store a small and deterministic number of neutral atoms in an optical dipole trap. The desired atom number is prepared in a magneto-optical trap overlapped with a single focused Nd:YAG laser beam. Dipole trap loading efficiency of 100% and storage times of about one minute have been achieved. We have also prepared atoms in a certain hyperfine state and demonstrated the feasibility of a state-selective detection via resonance fluorescence at the level of a few neutral atoms. A spin relaxation time of the polarized sample of 4.2+/-0.7 s has been measured. Possible applications are briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institut fur Angewandte Physik, Universitat Bonn, Wegelerstrasse 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany.
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frese
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ueberholz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuhr
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Alt
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schrader
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gomer
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meschede