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Hulet RG, Nguyen JHV, Senaratne R. Methods for preparing quantum gases of lithium. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2020; 91:011101. [PMID: 32012609 DOI: 10.1063/1.5131023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lithium is an important element in atomic quantum gas experiments because its interactions are highly tunable due to broad Feshbach resonances and zero-crossings and because it has two stable isotopes: 6Li, a fermion, and 7Li, a boson. Although lithium has special value for these reasons, it also presents experimental challenges. In this article, we review some of the methods that have been developed or adapted to confront these challenges, including beam and vapor sources, Zeeman slowers, sub-Doppler laser cooling, laser sources at 671 nm, and all-optical methods for trapping and cooling. Additionally, we provide spectral diagrams of both 6Li and 7Li and present plots of Feshbach resonances for both isotopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall G Hulet
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Jason H V Nguyen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
| | - Ruwan Senaratne
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA
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2
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Hopkins SA, Butler K, Guttridge A, Kemp S, Freytag R, Hinds EA, Tarbutt MR, Cornish SL. A versatile dual-species Zeeman slower for caesium and ytterbium. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2016; 87:043109. [PMID: 27131656 DOI: 10.1063/1.4945795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We describe the design, construction, and operation of a versatile dual-species Zeeman slower for both Cs and Yb, which is easily adaptable for use with other alkali metals and alkaline earths. With the aid of analytic models and numerical simulation of decelerator action, we highlight several real-world problems affecting the performance of a slower and discuss effective solutions. To capture Yb into a magneto-optical trap (MOT), we use the broad (1)S0 to (1)P1 transition at 399 nm for the slower and the narrow (1)S0 to (3)P1 intercombination line at 556 nm for the MOT. The Cs MOT and slower both use the D2 line (6(2)S1/2 to 6(2)P3/2) at 852 nm. The slower can be switched between loading Yb or Cs in under 0.1 s. We demonstrate that within a few seconds the Zeeman slower loads more than 10(9) Yb atoms and 10(8) Cs atoms into their respective MOTs. These are ideal starting numbers for further experiments on ultracold mixtures and molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Hopkins
- Joint Quantum Centre (JQC) Durham-Newcastle, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - K Butler
- Joint Quantum Centre (JQC) Durham-Newcastle, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - A Guttridge
- Joint Quantum Centre (JQC) Durham-Newcastle, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - S Kemp
- Joint Quantum Centre (JQC) Durham-Newcastle, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - R Freytag
- Centre for Cold Matter, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - E A Hinds
- Centre for Cold Matter, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - M R Tarbutt
- Centre for Cold Matter, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - S L Cornish
- Joint Quantum Centre (JQC) Durham-Newcastle, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
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Krzyzewski SP, Akin TG, Dahal P, Abraham ERI. A clip-on Zeeman slower using toroidal permanent magnets. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2014; 85:103104. [PMID: 25362368 DOI: 10.1063/1.4897151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We present the design of a zero-crossing Zeeman slower for (85)Rb using rings of flexible permanent magnets. The design is inexpensive, requires no power or cooling, and can be easily attached and removed for vacuum maintenance. We show theoretically that such a design can reproduce a magnetic field profile of a standard zero-crossing Zeeman slower. Experimental measurements of a prototype and comparisons to theoretical simulations demonstrate the feasibility of the design and point toward future improvements. Simulations show an atom flux similar to other Zeeman slowers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Krzyzewski
- Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
| | - T G Akin
- Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
| | - Parshuram Dahal
- Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
| | - E R I Abraham
- Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019, USA
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Sabulsky DO, Parker CV, Gemelke ND, Chin C. Efficient continuous-duty Bitter-type electromagnets for cold atom experiments. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2013; 84:104706. [PMID: 24182143 DOI: 10.1063/1.4826498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We present the design, construction, and characterization of Bitter-type electromagnets which can generate high magnetic fields under continuous operation with efficient heat removal for cold atom experiments. The electromagnets are constructed from a stack of alternating layers consisting of copper arcs and insulating polyester spacers. Efficient cooling of the copper is achieved via parallel rectangular water cooling channels between copper layers with low resistance to flow; a high ratio of the water-cooled surface area to the volume of copper ensures a short length scale (~1 mm) to extract dissipated heat. High copper fraction per layer ensures high magnetic field generated per unit energy dissipated. The ensemble is highly scalable and compressed to create a watertight seal without epoxy. From our measurements, a peak field of 770 G is generated 14 mm away from a single electromagnet with a current of 400 A and a total power dissipation of 1.6 kW. With cooling water flowing at 3.8 l/min, the coil temperature only increases by 7 °C under continuous operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan O Sabulsky
- The James Franck Institute, Enrico Fermi Institute, and Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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McDowall PD, Grünzweig T, Hilliard A, Andersen MF. An atomic beam source for fast loading of a magneto-optical trap under high vacuum. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2012; 83:055102. [PMID: 22667652 DOI: 10.1063/1.4708617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We report on a directional atomic beam created using an alkali metal dispenser and a nozzle. By applying a high current (15 A) pulse to the dispenser at room temperature we can rapidly heat it to a temperature at which it starts dispensing, avoiding the need for preheating. The atomic beam produced is capable of loading 90% of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) in less than 7 s while maintaining a low vacuum pressure of <10(-11) Torr. The transverse velocity components of the atomic beam are measured to be within typical capture velocities of a rubidium MOT. Finally, we show that the atomic beam can be turned off within 1.8 s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D McDowall
- Jack Dodd Centre for Quantum Technology, Department of Physics, University of Otago, New Zealand
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Cheiney P, Carraz O, Bartoszek-Bober D, Faure S, Vermersch F, Fabre CM, Gattobigio GL, Lahaye T, Guéry-Odelin D, Mathevet R. A Zeeman slower design with permanent magnets in a Halbach configuration. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2011; 82:063115. [PMID: 21721682 DOI: 10.1063/1.3600897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We describe a simple Zeeman slower design using permanent magnets. Contrary to common wire-wound setups, no electric power and water cooling are required. In addition, the whole system can be assembled and disassembled at will. The magnetic field is however transverse to the atomic motion and an extra repumper laser is necessary. A Halbach configuration of the magnets produces a high quality magnetic field and no further adjustment is needed. After optimization of the laser parameters, the apparatus produces an intense beam of slow and cold (87)Rb atoms. With typical fluxes of (1-5) × 10(10) atoms/s at 30 m s(-1), our apparatus efficiently loads a large magneto-optical trap with more than 10(10) atoms in 1 s, which is an ideal starting point for degenerate quantum gas experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Cheiney
- Université de Toulouse, UPS - 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France
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Bell SC, Junker M, Jasperse M, Turner LD, Lin YJ, Spielman IB, Scholten RE. A slow atom source using a collimated effusive oven and a single-layer variable pitch coil Zeeman slower. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2010; 81:013105. [PMID: 20113079 DOI: 10.1063/1.3276712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We describe a simple slow atom source for loading a rubidium magneto-optical trap. The source includes an effusive oven with a long heated collimation tube. Almost all components are standard vacuum parts. The heating elements and thermocouples are external to the vacuum, protecting them from the hostile hot alkali environment and allowing repair without breaking vacuum. The thermal source is followed by a Zeeman slower with a single-layer coil of variable winding pitch. The single-layer design is simple to construct and has low inductance which allows for rapid switching of the magnetic field. The coil pitch was determined by fitting the analytic form of the magnetic field for a variable winding pitch to the desired magnetic field profile required to slow atoms. The measured magnetic field for the constructed coil is in excellent agreement with the desired field. The source produces atoms at 35 m/s with a flux up to 2 x 10(10) cm(-2) s(-1) at 200 degrees C.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Bell
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-ray Science, School of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Chebakov K, Sokolov A, Akimov A, Sukachev D, Kanorsky S, Kolachevsky N, Sorokin V. Zeeman slowing of thulium atoms. OPTICS LETTERS 2009; 34:2955-2957. [PMID: 19794780 DOI: 10.1364/ol.34.002955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate laser slowing of a hot thulium atomic beam using the nearly closed cycling transition 4f(13)6s(2)((2)F(o))(J=7/2)<-->4f(12)((3)H(5))5d(3/2)6s(2)(J=9/2) at 410.6 nm. Atoms are decelerated to velocities around 25 m/s by a 40 cm Zeeman slower. The flux of slowed atoms is evaluated as 10(7) s(-1)cm(-2). The experiment explicitly indicates the possibility of trapping Tm atoms in a magneto-optical trap.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Chebakov
- P. N. Lebedev Physics Institute, Leninsky Prospekt 53, Moscow 119991, Russia
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McClelland JJ, Hanssen JL. Laser cooling without repumping: a magneto-optical trap for erbium atoms. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2006; 96:143005. [PMID: 16712071 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.96.143005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2006] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
We report on a novel mechanism that allows for strong laser cooling of atoms that do not have a closed cycling transition. This mechanism is observed in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) for erbium, an atom with a very complex energy level structure with multiple pathways for optical-pumping losses. We observe surprisingly high trap populations of over 10(6) atoms and densities of over 10(11) atoms cm(-3), despite the many potential loss channels. A model based on recycling of metastable and ground state atoms held in the quadrupole magnetic field of the trap explains the high trap population, and agrees well with time-dependent measurements of MOT fluorescence. The demonstration of trapping of a rare-earth atom such as erbium opens a wide range of new possibilities for practical applications and fundamental studies with cold atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J McClelland
- Electron Physics Group, Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
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Lu ZT, Corwin KL, Renn MJ, Anderson MH, Cornell EA, Wieman CE. Low-Velocity Intense Source of Atoms from a Magneto-optical Trap. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 1996; 77:3331-3334. [PMID: 10062193 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.77.3331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Aardema TG, Knops RM, Nijsten SP, Driessen JP, Beijerinck HC. Transverse diffusion in isotropic light slowing. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 1996; 76:748-751. [PMID: 10061540 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.76.748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Walhout M, Megens HJ, Witte A, Rolston SL. Magneto-optical trapping of metastable xenon: Isotope-shift measurements. PHYSICAL REVIEW. A, ATOMIC, MOLECULAR, AND OPTICAL PHYSICS 1993; 48:R879-R882. [PMID: 9909787 DOI: 10.1103/physreva.48.r879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
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Ketterle W, Davis KB, Joffe MA, Martin A, Pritchard DE. High densities of cold atoms in a dark spontaneous-force optical trap. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 1993; 70:2253-2256. [PMID: 10053514 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.70.2253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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Ketterle W, Martin A, Joffe MA, Pritchard DE. Slowing and cooling atoms in isotropic laser light. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 1992; 69:2483-2486. [PMID: 10046506 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.69.2483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
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