Abstract

In steady-state, the number of atoms in a vapor cell Magneto-Optic Trap (VCMOT) [1] is determined by the balance between the loading and loss rates. Several attempts have been done recently to obtain a higher atomic number and density [2]. Among those, the technique developed by Sinclair and co-workers [3] consists of two laser beams with different frequencies. In our work, we use the unique feature that sodium atoms can be trapped on two different tunings [4-6] to enhance the loading rate of one of them, which results in a higher density.

© 1996 Optical Society of America