Magneto-optical trap as an optical lattice - art. no. 013409

We study the magneto-optical trap (MOT) as an optical lattice with a setup providing full phase control for all light fields. Although completely diff erent light fields are possible for various phases, we have found experimen tal evidence that stored atoms are generally localized in micropotentials o f the six-beam lattice. The influence of the phase variation is surprisingl y small, suggesting that the robust behavior of the MOT is a consequence of this fact. We find furthermore good agreement of our experimental data wit h a simple theoretical model which reduces the complicated MOT to a descrip tion of steady-state atoms localized at points of the deepest adiabatic lig ht-shift potential.