Laser-cooling simulation based on the semiclassical approach

B. Smeets, R.W. Herfst, E. te Sligte, P. van der Straten, H.C.W. Beijerinck, K.A.H. van Leeuwen

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Abstract

We investigate the region of validity of the semiclassical approach to simulating laser cooling. We conclude that for the commonly used pi(x) pi(y) polarization-gradient configuration, the semiclassical approach is valid only for transitions with recoil parameters epsilon(r), on the order of 10(-4) or less. For the standard laser-cooling transitions only the transitions in Rb and Cs satisfy this condition. For the Doppler and sigma(+)sigma(-) polarization-gradient configuration the semiclassical approach is valid for most of the commonly used transitions; however, the expected gain in execution speed compared with quantum Monte Carlo calculations has been realized only in part. A drastic reduction in calculation time is to be expected by implementing an analytical approach to the long-term contribution of the diffusion coefficient. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2372-2377
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America. B: Optical Physics
Volume22
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

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