Measurement of collisions between rubidium atoms and optically dark rubidium ions in trapped mixtures

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2289/5715

Title:	Measurement of collisions between rubidium atoms and optically dark rubidium ions in trapped mixtures
Authors:	Lee, Seunghyun Ravi, K. Rangwala, S.A.
Issue Date:	May-2013
Publisher:	American Physical Society
Citation:	Physical Review A, 2013, Vol.87, p052701
Abstract:	We measure the collision-rate coefficient between laser-cooled rubidium (Rb) atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and optically dark Rb+ ions in an overlapping Paul trap. In such a mixture, the ions are created from the MOT atoms and allowed to accumulate in the ion trap, which results in a significant reduction in the number of steady-state MOT atoms. A theoretical rate-equation model is developed to describe the evolution of the MOT atom number due to ionization and ion-atom collisions, and we derive an expression for the ion-atom collision-rate coefficient. The loss of MOT atoms is studied systematically by sequentially switching on the various mechanisms in the experiment. Combining the measurements with the model allows the direct determination of the ion-atom collision-rate coefficient. Finally, the scope of the experimental technique developed here is discussed.
Description:	Open Access
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/2289/5715
ISSN:	1094-1622 (Online) 1050-2947
Alternative Location:	http://arxiv.org/abs/1304.2491 http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1103/PhysRevA.87.052701
Copyright:	2013 American Physical Society
Appears in Collections:	Research Papers (LAMP)

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