First observation of forces on three-level atoms in Raman resonant standing-wave optical fields. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • A sodium atomic beam is deflected by two optical standing-wave fields which excite near resonance Raman transitions. Observed deflections are consistent with theoretical predictions of a long-range dc component of the force on a three-level atom in the configuration. The low laser intensities (and small detunings) used, combined with observed evidence of damping in the three-level system, may ultimately lead to the design of high-density, all optical traps wherein the atoms would be mostly in the dark state. 1992 The American Physical Society.

published proceedings

  • Phys Rev Lett

author list (cited authors)

  • Hemmer, P. R., Shahriar, M. S., Prentiss, M., Katz, D. P., Berggren, K., Mervis, J., & Bigelow, N. P.

citation count

  • 26

complete list of authors

  • Hemmer, PR||Shahriar, MS||Prentiss, M||Katz, DP||Berggren, K||Mervis, J||Bigelow, NP

publication date

  • May 1992