Abstract
In this introductory chapter, we first consider the interaction of a two-level atom with a monochromatic laser field, by reviewing the emission and absorption radiation processes, as described by the semi-classical optical Bloch equations. We then discuss the basic principles of laser cooling, using both the momentum and the energy pictures. A simple expression for the laser cooling force is derived and the concept of Doppler temperature limit, characterizing the laser cooling process, is introduced. This is followed by a discussion of magnetic traps, with particular emphasis on the Helmholtz and Ioffe configurations, and a description of the magneto-optical trap.
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Notes
- 1.
Actually, in the absence of magnetic fields, alkali atoms have degenerate ground states.
- 2.
For experimental reasons, Γ should be multiplied by a factor e − Δ 2 ∕ R z 2, where Δ = g ∕ ω1, z 2 − g ∕ ω2. z 2represents the gravitational sag between the two clouds and \({R}_{z} = \sqrt{({k}_{B } /\mathcal{M})({T}_{1 } /{\omega }_{1,z }^{2 } + {T}_{2 } /{\omega }_{2,z }^{2 })}\)is the vertical size of the clouds. Near condensation, however, the effect of the sag is negligible and Eq. (2.89) holds. See Ref. [32] and references therein for further details.
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Mendonça, J.T., Terças, H. (2013). Laser Cooling. In: Physics of Ultra-Cold Matter. Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics, vol 70. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5413-7_2
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