Patent ID: 6303928
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: B82Y,H05H

Abstract:
An atomic system for generating a continuous beam of cold atoms from a vapor of atoms, the atomic system comprising,a conical reflector for defining a cavity and for creating a magneto-optic trap within the cavity into which the vapor of atoms is received, the conical reflector having an apex aperture for ejecting the atoms out of the cavity as the continuous beam of cold atoms,a trapping laser providing a trapping laser beam illuminating the conical reflector, the trapping laser is aligned with the apex aperture for creating a dark column within the cavity, the conical reflector reflects the trapping laser beam in three dimensions creating three-dimensional counter-propagating light at the magneto-optic trap within the cavity except along the dark column extending along a central portion of the trapping laser light propagating through the magneto-optic trap along the dark column towards and through the apex aperture, anda magnetic field generator for providing a trapping magnetic field within the cavity, the trapping magnetic field has a strength gradient within the cavity, the trapping magnetic field decreases in strength, reaches zero, and changes sign at the magnetic-optic trap, the three-dimensional counter-propagating light and the trapping magnetic field function to force the atoms within the cavity towards the magneto-optic trap and to cool the atoms while the central portion of the trapping laser light pushes the atoms along the dark column extending from the magnetic-optic trap, through the apex aperture and out of the apex aperture as the continuous cold atom beam.