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Single-Photon Atomic Cooling - Raizen Lab - The University of ...

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demonstrates the cooling power <strong>of</strong> a one-way-wall process in a geometry more<br />

similar (but not identical) to that used in the actual experiment. In this<br />

example, depicted in Fig. 1.5, an atom is placed into an external, conservative<br />

potential. This potential in indicated by the “V”-shape in each sub-figure<br />

(a-e). As shown in Fig. 1.5(a) the one-way-wall is initially positioned such<br />

that the atom does not have sufficient energy to reach it. To initiate cooling,<br />

the one-way-wall is slowly swept towards the center <strong>of</strong> the confining external<br />

potential. If this is done slowly enough, the atom will first encounter the<br />

one-way-wall near its turning point, where it has exchanged most <strong>of</strong> its kinetic<br />

energy for potential energy. <strong>The</strong> sweep must be done slowly because as the one-<br />

way-wall is swept its intersection point with the confining potential decreases<br />

in energy at a rate ˙ E. If the oscillation time <strong>of</strong> the trapped atom in the<br />

confining potential is given by Tatom then the average residual kinetic energy<br />

Kres retained by the atom after transiting the one-way-wall due to the motion<br />

<strong>of</strong> the one-way-wall is<br />

Kres = 1<br />

2 ˙ ETatom<br />

(1.3)<br />

Experimental factors force one to compromise between a small Kres and a<br />

reasonable sweep duration. After transiting the one-way-wall the atom is<br />

captured with little residual kinetic energy Fig. 1.5(c). According to our<br />

working definition <strong>of</strong> temperature given in Eq. 1.5 this atom has been cooled.<br />

As the one-way-wall then continues to sweep towards the center <strong>of</strong> the external<br />

confining potential one may expect that the atom will heat back up. This is<br />

not so. <strong>The</strong> work done on the atom by the one-way-wall as it moves is equal to<br />

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