2018/06/03 by Muniz, Juan A., Norcia, Matthew A., Cline, Julia R. K. +1
#Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1806.00838
We characterize the properties of a new form of magneto-optical trap (MOT) that relies on non-equilibrium population dynamics associated with narrow-linewidth optical transitions. We demonstrate this mechanism using the 7.5 kHz linewidth transition in both bosonic and fermionic strontium isotopes. In contrast to standard narrow-line MOTs based on imbalances in equilibrium scattering rates, our system benefits from a less complex laser system, a larger capture fraction from higher temperature samples, robustness against experimental perturbations and the ability to operate in the presence of large inhomogeneous broadening of the atomic transition frequency.