SUBRECOIL LASER COOLING - TRAPPING VERSUS DIFFUSION

A simple analytical solution of the quantum kinetic equations for the 1D problem of subrecoil laser cooling is presented. In a wide range of parameters, time evolution of the distribution function is given by t he Fokker-Planck equation with a special boundary condition in the vic inity of zero velocity. This boundary condition is due to the trapping process and was obtained correctly by taking into account the retarda tion effect in nondiagonal matrix elements. The asymptotic time behavi or is consistent with the results of the statistical analysis in terms of Levy flights. It is shown that the trapping process in a strong en ough field displays the effect of quasi-stabilization.