Coherent manipulation of trapped Rb atoms by overlapping frequency-chirped laser pulses: theory and experiment

We present results of experimental and theoretical studies of coherent momentum transfer to rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap by pairs of counter-propagating frequency-modulated (chirped) laser pulses. The counter-propagating pulse pairs partially overlap each other leading to multiphoton interaction processes. We show experimentally that the mechanical momentum transferred to atoms in this scheme of interaction is larger than in the case of non-overlapping pulse pairs acting separately on the atoms. Results of numerical simulations that take into account all relevant hyperfine energy states of Rb along with the influence of relaxation and re-pumping processes are in good agreement with obtained experimental results. Graphical abstract