Atomic beam guide by a one-dimensional magneto-optical trap

The fine control of a neutral atomic beam by radiation pressure has opened a new field called atom lithography. In particular, a direct writing method, which focuses an atomic beam with a standing-wave light field into narrow lines, has been demonstrated. A velocity-controlled and isotope-selected atomic beam is essential for improving the performance of this lithography method. An atomic deflection technique using radiation pressure is indispensable for producing such an atomic beam. Here we report on an atomic beam guide using a one-dimensional magneto-optical trap (1D-MOT). First we decelerate atoms whose velocities lie in the range between 250 and 320 m/s. A diode laser (780 nm) is used as the light source for deceleration and its injection current is modulated at 2 MHz. Then the decelerated beam is deflected by a tilted 1D-MOT, which consists of four copper rods and four rectangular mirrors.