Visible Observation of Metastable Helium Atoms Confined in an Infrared/Visible Double Resonance Trap

Abstract
Using a visible probe laser exciting the 2p3P2→3d3D3 transition (λ=588 nm), we have demonstrated a visible observation of metastable He atoms magnetooptically trapped by an infrared laser resonant with the 2s3S1→2p3P2 transition (λ=1083nm). Detecting visible resonance fluorescence, only 104 atoms confined in a trap with a diameter of 1 mm have been sensitively observed even with the naked eye. It has been found that under a given condition the visible laser operates as a trapping laser and considerably extends the capture range of infrared laser detuning.

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