Formation of an intense steady flux of cold atoms by the laser slowing of an atomic beam

A detailed experimental study is made of the slowing of an atomic beam by resonant laser radiation. By using the optimum configuration of the atomic and laser beams, employing intense two-frequency laser radiation, and limiting the velocity diffusion, one can obtain an intense steady flux of atoms wth an effective temperature as low as 1 K. The intensity of the slowed atomic beam at a temperature of 1 K exceeds the intensity of the original atomic beam by a factor of 3x103