ISSN:
1432-0649
Keywords:
32.80.Pj
;
42.50.Vk
;
35.80.+s
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract We have studied the expansion of a small cloud of85Rb atoms in three-dimensional optical molasses (lin ⊥ lin and σ+ − σ− configurations) and observed diffusive motion. We determined the spatial-diffusion coefficients for various laser intensities and detunings, and compared them (in the case of lin ⊥ lin molasses) to values calculated from friction and momentum-diffusion coefficients of a one-dimensional (1D) theory of laser cooling. The predicted variations of the spatial-diffusion coefficient with laser intensity and detuning are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental data. We found that the minimal value observed experimentally, ≈ 6 × 10−4 cm2/s, lies within a factor of 3 of the 1D theoretical minimum, ≈, 26ħ/M, whereM is the atomic mass.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01135855
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