Single-laser, one beam, tetrahedral magneto-optical trap.
We have realized a 4-beam pyramidal magneto-optical trap ideally suited for future microfabrication. Three mirrors split and steer a single incoming beam into a tripod of reflected beams, allowing trapping in the four-beam overlap volume. We discuss the influence of mirror angle on cooling and trapping, finding optimum efficiency in a tetrahedral configuration. We demonstrate the technique using an ex-vacuo mirror system to illustrate the previously inaccessible supra-plane pyramid MOT configuration. Unlike standard pyramidal MOTs both the pyramid apex and its mirror angle are non-critical and our MOT offers improved molasses free from atomic shadows in the laser beams. The MOT scheme naturally extends to a 2-beam refractive version with high optical access. For quantum gas experiments, the mirror system could also be used for a stable 3D tetrahedral optical lattice.
Vangeleyn
Matthieu
M
Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, UK.
Griffin
Paul F
PF
Riis
Erling
E
Arnold
Aidan S
AS
D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007909:Lenses; D008027:Light; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055096:Optical Devices; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D012542:Scattering, Radiation