Spatial filtering of Zeeman sub-states in an atomic fountain

Abstract

In an atomic fountain, atoms in motion can be spatially separated into discrete Zeeman sub-states by magnetically induced Stern-Gerlach effect. With resonant light pulses acting as a shutter, specific states are selected for subsequent experiments. Such separation-selection process in atomic optics is the analogue of a spatial filter in physical optics which selects and purifies the modes of light. This technique is demonstrated by injecting a pulsed current in a circular coil around a vertical atomic fountain, separating the pre-cooled Rubidium atoms by a distance of centimeters in between, and filtering each single sub-state with block pulses. The filtered atoms after the process is highly purified in the desired sub-state. The apparatus of the atomic spatial filter is adaptable in atomic optics and can be integrated into the high-vacuum chamber of an atomic fountain.