Optical repumping of triplet $P$-states enhances magneto-optical trapping of ytterbium atoms

Jun Woo Cho, Han-gyeol Lee, Sangkyung Lee +5

Radiative decay from the excited ${}^1{P}_1$ state to metastable ${}^3{P}_2$ and ${}^3{P}_0$ states is expected to limit attainable trapped atomic population in a magneto-optic trap of ytterbi…