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Velocity selection in a Doppler-broadened ensemble of atoms interacting with a monochromatic laser beam

Hughes, Ifan G.

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Abstract

There is extensive use of monochromatic lasers to select atoms with a narrow range of velocities in many atomic physics experiments. For the commonplace situation of the inhomogeneous Doppler-broadened (Gaussian) linewidth exceeding the homogeneous (Lorentzian) natural linewidth by typically two orders of magnitude, a substantial narrowing of the velocity class of atoms interacting with the light can be achieved. However, this is not always the case, and here we show that for a certain parameter regime there is essentially no selection – all of the atoms interact with the light in accordance with the velocity probability density. An explanation of this effect is provided, emphasizing the importance of the long tail of the constituent Lorentzian distribution in a Voigt profile.

Citation

Hughes, I. G. (2018). Velocity selection in a Doppler-broadened ensemble of atoms interacting with a monochromatic laser beam. Journal of Modern Optics, 65(5-6), 640-647. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500340.2017.1328749

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 6, 2017
Online Publication Date May 22, 2017
Publication Date Mar 30, 2018
Deposit Date May 17, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of Modern Optics
Print ISSN 0950-0340
Electronic ISSN 1362-3044
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 65
Issue 5-6
Pages 640-647
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09500340.2017.1328749

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