Cool Things you can do with Lasers

Theoretical and experimental investigations into a variety of laser cooling phenomena are presented. An overview of the history of laser cooling is followed by an in-depth study of analytic Doppler theory, as applied to both MOTs and optical molasses. The 3D distributions of Gajda et al. [27] are generalised, allowing the inclusion of both intensity and frequency imbalances. Forces arising from reradiation and absorption are then added to the description, with particular em-phasis on the non-conservative absorptive force. Constant-temperature solutions do not appear to exist for the differential equations which arise in such a regime, raising questions about the validity of commonly used density relations based on this assumption. Possible errors in the formalism are covered, as well as their means of rectification. Work on the theoretical Doppler forces involved in ring-shaped MOT structures is reviewed, and possible solutions to the present discrepancy between theoretical and experimental studies in this field are discussed in the context of reradiation. Analytic theory as well as a Doppler Monte Carlo simulation are employed. A brief description of sub-Doppler theory is succeeded by a theoretical study of the 3D standing waves in laser cooling apparatus, focusing on the relative phases of the laser beams. Properties of various lase