Cooling and Trapping of Neutral Atoms

摘要

We work on optical forces on atoms from non-monochromatic light. We have explored the Dichromatic force, measured its properties, provided a dressed state (Floquet) theory, and developed it into a practical tool for atomic nanofabrication. In addition. we have explored frequency swept light in adiabatic rapid passage to produce optical forces ten times larger than ordinary radiative forces. An extension of this theoretical description of the bichromatic force has led to some further understanding of the roles of spontaneous emission and entropy exchange in all forms of laser cooling. In addition, we have successes in producing our first nanoscale structures. This is of special interest to the Navy because of its possible application for fabrication of multiply redundant atom chips, a feature necessary to help counteract the effects of decoherence. Several students have finished Ph.D.'s and Masters degrees and there have been numerous papers and myriad abstracts for meetings.