Laser cooling and launching performance in a (1,1,1)-geometry atomic fountain

Abstract

We have successfully cooled and launched cesium atoms in the (1,1,1) atomic fountain geometry at temperatures as low as 0.8 /spl mu/K. This corresponds to a root-mean-square thermal velocity of 0.7 cm/s, which is two times the photon recoil velocity of 0.35 cm/s. Factors that limit the final temperature are presented in detail.