Abstract
We report an experimental study of the spatial distribution of ultracold cesium atoms exposed to a series of kicks from a standing wave of light. We observe cumulative focusing, leading to a spatial array of atoms which is of interest for atomic lithography. To observe the spatial distribution, we developed a free-space measurement technique that enables the reconstruction of the atomic motion as a function of time. We find increased focusing of atoms after as many as ten kicks, and the results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
- Received 8 July 2002
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.283001
©2002 American Physical Society