An Introduction to Thermal Physics · Problem 4.36

Engines and Refrigerators — Daniel Schroeder

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · laser-cooling-recoil-temperature-limit

Problem

An apparent limit on the temperature achievable by laser cooling is reached when an atom's recoil energy from absorbing or emitting a single photon is comparable to its total kinetic energy. Make a rough estimate of this limiting temperature for rubidium atoms that are cooled using laser light with a wavelength of 780 nm.

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