Narrow Line Cooling: Finite Photon Recoil Dynamics

Abstract

We present an extensive study of the unique thermal and mechanical dynamics for narrow-line cooling on the ${}^{1}S_0$-${}^{3}P_1$ ${}^{88}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{r}$ transition. For negative detuning, trap dynamics reveal a transition from the semiclassical regime to the photon-recoil-dominated quantum regime, yielding an absolute minima in the equilibrium temperature below the single-photon-recoil limit. For positive detuning, the cloud divides into discrete momentum packets whose alignment mimics lattice points on a face-centered-cubic crystal. This novel behavior arises from velocity selection and “positive feedback” acceleration due to a finite number of photon recoils. Cooling is also achieved with blue-detuned light around a velocity where gravity balances the radiative force.