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Ultrastable CO2 Laser Trapping of Lithium Fermions

K. M. O'Hara, S. R. Granade, M. E. Gehm, T. A. Savard, S. Bali, C. Freed, J. E. Thomas

physics.atom-pharXiv:physics/0003049

Abstract

We demonstrate an ultrastable CO2 laser trap that provides tight confinement of neutral atoms with negligible optical scattering and minimal laser-noise- induced heating. Using this method, fermionic 6Li atoms are stored in a 0.4 mK deep well with a 1/e trap lifetime of 300 sec, consistent with a background pressure of 10(-11) Torr. To our knowledge, this is the longest storage time ever achieved with an all-optical trap, comparable to the best reported magnetic traps.

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