PROCESS OF STOPPING ATOMS WITH THE ZEEMAN TUNING TECHNIQUE WITH A SINGLE LASER

We report an observation of atoms stopped by laser light in an experiment using the Zeeman tuning technique. In contrast to previous experiments using the same technique, we are able to stop the atoms outside the slower solenoid using a single laser. The deceleration process is monitored through the measurement of the fluorescence along the deceleration path in such a way that the slower laser is also used for diagnosis. This technique also permits the realization of a few interesting observations on the process such as the position where the atoms stop scattering photons. © 1990 The American Physical Society.