2009•DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University)Open access

Constructing a Magneto-Optical Trap for Cold Atom Trapping

Eric S. Muckley

Abstract

A magneto-optical trap, or MOT, is a device that traps atoms between three pairs of opposing perpendicular laser beams for cooling the atoms to temperatures near absolute zero. The MOT uses Doppler cooling and a magnetic quadrupole field to trap the atoms; in our case, Rb87 atoms. In the future, the MOT will be used in experiments pertaining to the advancement of quantum computing. In this paper, I explain some of the processes required for construction and operation of the MOT.

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Key concepts: Magneto-optical trap, Trap (plumbing), Trapping, Physics, Atom (system on chip), Atomic physics, Computer science, Meteorology