Magneto-optical trap near a surface

Summary form only given. The behavior of atoms near a surface has been the object of many recent investigations and the realization of a sample of cold atoms near a surface is attractive for many applications. To investigate the behavior of the trap close to a surface a magneto-optical trap (MOT) that has its equilibrium position at a glass-window/Cs-vapor interface was realized. To have a better understanding of the surface role on the trap dynamics a second set of measurements was performed for the trap in the center of the cell, but partially blocking one of the laser beams.