Direct loading of a large Yb MOT on the 1S0 → 3P1 transition

Guttridge, A.; Hopkins, S.A.; Kemp, S.L.; Boddy, D.; Freytag, R.; Jones, M.P.A.; Tarbutt, M.R.; Hinds, E.A.; Cornish, S.L.

Abstract

We report a robust technique for laser frequency stabilisation that enables the reproducible loading of in excess of 109 Yb atoms from a Zeeman slower directly into a magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the 1S0 → 3P1 transition, without the need for a first stage MOT on the 1S0 → 1P1 transition. We use a simple atomic beam apparatus to generate narrow fluorescence signals on both the 399 nm 1S0 → 1P1 transition used for the Zeeman slower and the 556 nm 1S0 → 3P1 transition. We present in detail the methods for obtaining spectra with a high signalto-noise ratio and demonstrate error signals suitable for robust frequency stabilisation. Finally we demonstrate the stability and precision of our technique through sensitive measurements of the gravitational sag of the Yb MOT as a function of the intensity of the laser cooling beams, which are in good agreement with theory. These results will be important for efficient loading of the atoms into an optical dipole trap.

Citation

Guttridge, A., Hopkins, S., Kemp, S., Boddy, D., Freytag, R., Jones, M., …Cornish, S. (2016). Direct loading of a large Yb MOT on the 1S0 → 3P1 transition. Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 49(14), Article 145006. https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-4075/49/14/145006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 31, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 28, 2016
• Publication Date: Jul 28, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jun 30, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 28, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
• Print ISSN: 0953-4075
• Electronic ISSN: 1361-6455
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 14
• Article Number: 145006
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/0953-4075/49/14/145006
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1408378