Abstract

We report on a system for atomic beam deceleration and magneto-optical trapping of calcium atoms that uses the ${}^1{S}_0–{}^1{P}_1$ transition, in which a single laser is used to trap and slow the atoms. The slower laser beam is focused near the magneto-optical trap’s center, which has a waist size much smaller than the atomic cloud such that its influence on the trapped atoms is greatly reduced. We also investigate the theoretical possibility of cooling by use of a two-photon $(4s^2{)}^1{S}_0–(4s5s{)}^1{S}_0$ transition. Excitation near resonance with the ${}^1{P}_1$ level results in an equilibrium temperature seven times smaller than the Doppler limit of the ${}^1{S}_0–{}^1{P}_1$ transition.

© 2003 Optical Society of America

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