Optimization of optical dipole trap loading for 87-Rb and light-shift tomography for trap characterization

Abstract

This project reports on loading 87-Rb in a red-detuned optical dipole trap formed by three 1560 nm crossed beams. The work describes the implementations made to the system for proper trap operation and the designed experimental sequence. The characteristics of the dipole potential are calculated to understand and optimize the trap loading process. The light-shift tomography technique is employed to map the trapping potential and to ensure the alignment of the trap beams. As a result, the experiment yielded 2 × 10^5 atoms in the optical dipole trap.