We present the properties and advantages of a new magneto-optical trap (MOT) where blue-detuned light drives "type-II" transitions that have dark ground states. Using ^{87}Rb, we reach a radiation-pressure-limited density… Click to show full abstract
We present the properties and advantages of a new magneto-optical trap (MOT) where blue-detuned light drives "type-II" transitions that have dark ground states. Using ^{87}Rb, we reach a radiation-pressure-limited density exceeding 10^{11} cm^{-3} and a temperature below 30 μK. The phase-space density is higher than in normal atomic MOTs and a million times higher than comparable red-detuned type-II MOTs, making the blue-detuned MOT particularly attractive for molecular MOTs, which rely on type-II transitions. The loss of atoms from the trap is dominated by ultracold collisions between Rb atoms. For typical trapping conditions, we measure a loss rate of 1.8(4)×10^{-10} cm^{3} s^{-1}.
               
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