Abstract
We analyze the influence of the dipole-dipole interaction between ground and excited state atoms on atomic cooling by velocity-selective coherent population trapping. We consider two three-level atoms in the λ-configuration, interacting with two counterpropagating laser fields as well as with the electromagnetic vacuum modes. The elimination of these modes in the Born-Markov approximation results in spontaneous decay, which is essential in providing the momentum diffusion necessary for cooling, as well as a two-body dipole-dipole interaction between ground-and excited-state atoms. The corresponding two-body master equation is solved numerically by Monte-Carlo wave-function simulations. Our main result is that although a dark state survives the inclusion of dipole-dipole interactions, the presence of this interaction can significantly slow down the cooling process for sufficiently high atomic densities.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 161-167 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Applied Physics B Laser and Optics |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 2-3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1995 |
Keywords
- 42.50.Vk
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
- General Physics and Astronomy