Observing Laser-Cooled Rubidium Atoms, Poster 49

We are observing the properties and behavior of Rubidium atoms launched from a magneto-optical trap, or MOT. Due to resonance with laser frequencies, a cloud of Rb atoms is isolated and confined to an area of around 1mm in... [ view full abstract ]

We are observing the properties and behavior of Rubidium atoms launched from a magneto-optical trap, or MOT. Due to resonance with laser frequencies, a cloud of Rb atoms is isolated and confined to an area of around 1mm in diameter. Atoms in the MOT are then 'launched' upward through detection probes which we use to analyze the cloud's motion and measure its velocity. Our goal is to compare the launching behavior under range of laser frequencies and launching conditions to predicted relations in order to explore and affirm the working model of MOT dynamics.