Dark-state sideband cooling in an atomic ensemble
Journal
Physical Review A
Journal Volume
103
Journal Issue
1
Start Page
013305
ISSN
2469-9926
2469-9934
Date Issued
2021-01-06
Author(s)
Abstract
We utilize the dark state in a Λ-type three-level system to cool an ensemble of Rb85 atoms in an optical lattice [Morigi, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 4458 (2000)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.85.4458]. The common suppression of the carrier transition of atoms with different vibrational frequencies allows them to reach a subrecoil temperature of 100 nK after being released from the optical lattice. A nearly zero vibrational quantum number is determined from the time-of-flight measurements and adiabatic expansion process. The features of sideband cooling are examined in various parameter spaces. Our results show that dark-state sideband cooling is a simple and compelling method for preparing a large ensemble of atoms into their vibrational ground state of a harmonic potential and can be generalized to different species of atoms and molecules for studying ultracold physics that demands recoil temperature and below.
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Type
journal article