Abstract
We have measured the loading and loss rates in a magneto-optical trap only with a few atoms by directly counting atom-number changing events. Unambiguous formulas are presented for the calculation of those rates from a step-wise time sequence of the fluorescence of the trapped atoms. With a recently developed atom-number feedback technique we could efficiently measure the loading rate as a function of the magnetic field gradient for the initial number of trapped atoms of zero. We could also measure the one- and two-atom loss rates as functions of the trap laser intensity for a precisely prepared initial number of trapped atoms. Each of these rates has been measured independently by directly counting the corresponding atom-number-changing events, without any influence from or inference to the other rates.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 013402 |
Journal | Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics |
Volume | 76 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 Jul 10 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics