Measuring the capture velocity of atoms in a magneto-optical trap as a function of laser intensity - art. no. 013404

Using the dark-spot Zeeman-tuned slowing technique, we have measured the ca pture velocity of a magnetooptical trap as a function of the trap laser int ensity. The values obtained are in reasonable agreement with calculations b ased on a simple model. Nevertheless, the dependence of capture velocity in the low-intensity regime seems to be slightly different from the predictio ns. The measurement of this type of trap parameter is of interest in the an alysis of exoergic cold collisions, where the knowledge of such values is i mportant for the interpretation of experimental results.