McClelland, J.
and Hanssen, J.
(2006),
Laser Cooling Without Repumping: A Magneto-Optical Trap for Erbium Atoms, Physical Review Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=620581 (Accessed May 11, 2026)
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Laser Cooling Without Repumping: A Magneto-Optical Trap for Erbium Atoms
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Abstract
We report on a novel mechanism that allows for laser cooling of atoms that do not have a closed cycling transition. This mechanism is observed in a magneto-optical trap 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 106 atoms and densities of over 1011 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.Citation
Physical Review Letters
Volume
96
Issue
14
Pub Type
Journals
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Keywords
ATOM
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Created April 14, 2006, Updated May 11, 2026