Sodium MOT collection efficiency as a function of the trapping and repumping laser frequencies and intensities

A detailed theoretical and experimental description of a sodium MOT as a fu nction of the pumping and repumping laser frequencies and intensities is gi ven. The effective trapping schemes and the collection efficiency have been experimentally measured and calculated by solving an original 3D model. Th is model considers the whole bunch of the 32 ground and excited (P-1/2 + P- 3/2) Zeeman sublevels, the actual trap geometry, the magnetic field intensi ty and direction, the light polarization, and evaluates both the velocity c apture range nu (c) and the number of trapped particles N. Synergetic and c ompetition mechanisms due to the trapping and repumping lasers have been pr edicted and experimentally observed. The model simulation has been compared with the results reported in the literature and with those obtained by us and a quite good agreement has been found. The model can be easily adapted to the other sodium isotopes as well as to all the other alkalis.