Abstract
We show that polarization-gradient cooling occurs in the Λ system, simultaneously with velocity-selective coherent population trapping (VSCPT). Starting with a Doppler temperature sample, this process precools atoms and contains them, to within twice the recoil velocity, a range efficiently capturable by VSCPT. For sodium, this cooling may enhance the rate of three-dimensional VSCPT by 200 times over the rate achievable from Doppler precooling alone. We estimate that in 8 msec, for example, the atoms would be cooled in three dimensions to one-fourth the recoil temperature.
- Received 14 September 1993
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.48.R4035
©1993 American Physical Society