Collisional Studies of Ultracold Cesium

Author: Bliss, Joshua Lovis

Year: 1999

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Libbrecht, Kenneth George

Committee Members: Libbrecht, Kenneth George; Eisenstein, James P.; Zmuidzinas, Jonas; Preskill, John P.

Option: Physics

DOI: 10.7907/fcz4-pd11

Abstract

Spin-polarized neutral cesium atoms are confined in a magnetostatic trap in a cryogenic apparatus. The atoms are prepared in the F = 4, mF = 4 state and cooled, with rf-assisted evaporative cooling, to less than 10 microKelvin.

The elastic scattering cross section is measured by disequilibrating magnetostatically trapped atoms and observing the rate of equilibration. A computer simulation is presented, the results of which are used to extract the elastic scattering cross section from the measured rates of equilibration. For cesium atoms in the F = 4, mF = 4 state, the elastic cross section is confirmed to have a resonant magnitude which varies inversely with the mean kinetic energy, implying a scattering resonance.

A design for a new beam source of cold neutral atoms, based on an optical funnel with a pyramid mirror configuration, is also presented.

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