Precise quantum measurement of vacuum with cold atoms.

We describe the cold-atom vacuum standards (CAVS) under development at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The CAVS measures pressure in the ultra-high and extreme-high vacuum regimes by measuring the loss rate of sub-millikelvin sensor atoms from a magnetic trap. Ab initio quantum scattering calculations of cross sections and rate coefficients relate the density of background gas molecules or atoms to the loss rate of ultra-cold sensor atoms.

Λ-enhanced gray molasses in a tetrahedral laser beam geometry.

We report the observation of sub-Doppler cooling of lithium using an irregular-tetrahedral laser beam arrangement, which is produced by a nanofabricated diffraction grating. We are able to capture 11(2)% of the lithium atoms from a grating magneto-optical trap into Λ-enhanced D gray molasses. The molasses cools the captured atoms to a radial temperature of 60(9) μK and an axial temperature of 23(3) μK.

PyLCP: A Python package for computing laser cooling physics.

We present a Python object-oriented computer program for simulating various aspects of laser cooling physics. Our software is designed to be both easy to use and adaptable, allowing the user to specify the level structure, magnetic field profile, or the laser beams' geometry, detuning, and intensity. The program contains three levels of approximation for the motion of the atom, applicable in different regimes offering cross checks for calculations and computational efficiency depending on the physical situation.

Light-induced atomic desorption of lithium.

We demonstrate loading of a Li magneto-optical trap using light-induced atomic desorption. The magnetooptical trap confines up to approximately 4 × 10 Li atoms with loading rates up to approximately 4 × 10 atoms per second. We study the Li desorption rate as a function of the desorption wavelength and power.

Single-beam Zeeman slower and magneto-optical trap using a nanofabricated grating.

We demonstrate a compact (0.25 L) system for laser cooling and trapping atoms from a heated dispenser source. Our system uses a nanofabricated diffraction grating to generate a magnetooptical trap (MOT) using a single input laser beam.

Note: A 3D-printed alkali metal dispenser.

We demonstrate and characterize a source of Li atoms made from direct metal laser sintered titanium. The source's outgassing rate is measured to be 5(2) × 10 Pa L s at a temperature T = 330 °C, which optimizes the number of atoms loaded into a magneto-optical trap. The source loads ≈10Li atoms in the trap in ≈1 s.

Challenges to miniaturizing cold atom technology for deployable vacuum metrology.

Cold atoms are excellent metrological tools; they currently realize SI time and, soon, SI pressure in the ultra-high (UHV) and extreme high vacuum (XHV) regimes. The development of primary, vacuum metrology based on cold atoms currently falls under the purview of national metrology institutes. Under the emerging paradigm of the "quantum-SI", these technologies become deployable (relatively easy-to-use sensors that integrate with other vacuum chambers), providing a primary realization of the pascal in the UHV and XHV for the end-user.

In-vacuum scattered light reduction with black cupric oxide surfaces for sensitive fluorescence detection.

We demonstrate a simple and easy method for producing low-reflectivity surfaces that are ultra-high vacuum compatible, may be baked to high temperatures, and are easily applied even on complex surface geometries. Black cupric oxide (CuO) surfaces are chemically grown in minutes on any copper surface, allowing for low-cost, rapid prototyping, and production. The reflective properties are measured to be comparable to commercially available products for creating optically black surfaces.

Magneto-optical trapping of a diatomic molecule.

Laser cooling and trapping are central to modern atomic physics. The most used technique in cold-atom physics is the magneto-optical trap (MOT), which combines laser cooling with a restoring force from radiation pressure. For a variety of atomic species, MOTs can capture and cool large numbers of particles to ultracold temperatures (less than ∼1 millikelvin); this has enabled advances in areas that range from optical clocks to the study of ultracold collisions, while also serving as the ubiquitous starting point for further cooling into the regime of quantum degeneracy.

Environmental and capacity requirements are critical for implementing and sustaining a drug prevention program: a multiple case study of "Clubs against drugs".

Background: "Clubs against drugs" (CAD) is a comprehensive program with a systems approach to prevention with the intention of preventing drug use in nightclub environment. In 2001 CAD was developed and implemented in Stockholm and was disseminated to 20 other municipalities in Sweden up until 2010. This study investigates the factors related to the implementation and compares Stockholm to the rest of the municipalities.

Laser radiation pressure slowing of a molecular beam.

We demonstrate deceleration of a beam of neutral strontium monofluoride molecules using radiative forces. Under certain conditions, the deceleration results in a substantial flux of detected molecules with velocities ≲50  m/s. Simulations and other data indicate that the detection of molecules below this velocity is greatly diminished by transverse divergence from the beam.