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X Xu, T Loftus, John L. Hall, Alan Gallagher, Jun Ye
Abstract
We present a detailed investigation of the magneto-optical trap dynamics of alkarne-earth 88Sr atoms. The experimental results establish a firm confirmation of the laser cooling dynamics predicted by Doppler theory in thecontext of a strictly two-level model. However, the temperature measurement implies additional heating mechanisms not accounted for by Doppler theory. To explore the feasibility of reaching quantum degeneracy ofalkaline-earth metals via evaporative cooling, we have demonstrated the first experimental realization of magnetic trapping of 88Sr in a metastable state. Furthermore, the fermionic isotope, 87Sr, is believed to be an ideal candidatefor a future high quality optical frequency standard owing its merit to the ease of cooling and the existence of an ultrahigh-Q optical transition. We present some preliminary results regarding sub-Doppler cooling of 87Sr.
Citation
Journal of the Optical Society of America B-Optical Physics
Volume
20
Issue
No. 5
Pub Type
Journals
Keywords
alkaline earth atom, cold collisions, Doppler cooling, magnetic trap, magneto-optical trap, optical frequency standard
Citation
Xu, X.
, Loftus, T.
, Hall, J.
, Gallagher, A.
and Ye, J.
(2003),
Cooling and Trapping of Atomic Strontium, Journal of the Optical Society of America B-Optical Physics
(Accessed October 11, 2025)