TRANSVERSE LASER COOLING OF A VELOCITY-SELECTED SODIUM ATOMIC-BEAM

The transverse velocity distribution of a sodium atomic beam, laser co oled in one dimension, has been measured with sub-recoil resolution. A velocity-selective detection system was employed to separate the long itudinal and transverse velocity components to provide a direct measur e of the transverse velocity distribution. The effects of varying the cooling laser intensity and detuning on the derived transverse tempera ture are presented, and show a remarkable insensitivity to the laser i ntensity. Atomic velocities within a factor of two of the recoil veloc ity are achieved.