title: Single-laser, one beam, tetrahedral magneto-optical trap.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Physics, SUPA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0NG, UK.
authors: Matthieu
authors: M
authors: Vangeleyn
authors: Paul F
authors: PF
authors: Griffin
authors: Erling
authors: E
authors: Riis
authors: Aidan S
authors: AS
authors: Arnold
mesh_terms: 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