Abstract

The behavior of atoms near a surface has been the object of many recent investigations^1,2 and the realization of a sample of cold atoms near a surface is attractive for many applications. To investigate the behavior of the trap close to a surface a MOT that has its equilibrium position at a glass-window / Cs-vapor interface was realized. To have a better understanding of the surface role on the trap dynamics a second set of measurements was performed for the trap in the center of the cell, but partially blocking one of the laser beams.

© 1996 Optical Society of America