Optical repumping and controlled population transfer in a two-color magneto-optical trap
Phys. Rev. A 114, 013715 – Published 17 July, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8sb6-q1hz
Abstract
We study a repumping transition for atoms trapped in a blue magneto-optical trap. We show that, while the repumping efficiency is about three orders of magnitude smaller than for traditional schemes, it is sufficient for recycling all atoms, provided the repumping laser beams are arranged to form a green magneto-optical trap (MOT) helping to cool and confine the atoms and preventing their loss. Our main findings are the following: (i) that the green MOT configuration is able to trap ten times more atoms in the blue MOT than using the “green” transition merely as a repump, and (ii) that the population transfer between the two MOTs of the two-color scheme can be controlled through experimental control parameters. The interest of this scheme lies in its capability of reaching sub-Doppler temperatures and its suitability for continuous atomic beam generation.
