Cold trapped atoms detected with evanescent waves
Atomic Physics
2007-05-23 v2
Abstract
We demonstrate the in situ detection of cold 87 Rb atoms near a dielectric surface using the absorption of a weak, resonant evanescent wave. We have used this technique in time of flight experiments determining the density of atoms falling on the surface. A quantitative understanding of the measured curve was obtained using a detailed calculation of the evanescent intensity distribution. We have also used it to detect atoms trapped near the surface in a standing-wave optical dipole potential. This trap was loaded by inelastic bouncing on a strong, repulsive evanescent potential. We estimate that we trap 1.5 x 10 4 atoms at a density 100 times higher than the falling atoms.
Cite
@article{arxiv.physics/0205014,
title = {Cold trapped atoms detected with evanescent waves},
author = {R. A. Cornelussen and A. H. van Amerongen and B. T. Wolschrijn and R. J. C. Spreeuw and H. B. van Linden van den Heuvell},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0205014},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
5 pages, 3 figures