Basic research for the realization of a coherent atomic beam using laser cooling methods

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In this research project, we have developed basic techniques for the realization of coherent atomic beam sources, which can emit phase-coherent matter wave, using laser cooling methods. In order to realize such coherent atomic beam sources, we have developed an experimental apparatus for realizing Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of ^<87>Rb atoms using both laser cooling and evaporation cooling methods. As a result, we have developed a double-MOT(magnet-optical trap) system which could gather as much as 5×10^8 atoms in a glass cell at the extremely low pressure of the order of 10^<-11> torr. We have also developed a three-coil magnetic trap for the evaporation cooling. This trap can produce enough high magnetic field gradient (〜300 G/cm ) which is required for the tight confinement of atoms during the evaporation cooling. Using this magnetic trap, we could actually trapped and compressed the laser-cooled Rb atoms. Considering these preliminary experiments, we can expect the realization of BBC using the present apparatus if we will further optimize the apparatus and employ a rf-induced evaporation cooling method. We also consider the required experimental methods towards the practical coherent atomic beam sources for coherent atom optics and obtain future prospects for it.