Frequency-independent laser cooling based on interferometry

Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik - 85748 Garching, Germany

Received: 30 September 1999
Accepted: 28 November 1999

Abstract

We propose an atomic or molecular interferometer based on a series of femtosecond laser pulses, that allows the measurement and control of particle velocities. The probability for a particle to absorb a net photon momentum depends on the particle velocity and on relative phases of the laser pulses, but not on the absolute laser detuning from an optical transition. The scheme has prospects for the laser cooling of atoms and molecules.