Assessing slowdown times due to blackbody friction forces for high-precision experiments

We probe roles of blackbody friction forces (BBFFs) in slowing down alkali atoms, from Li through Fr, for high-precision measurements. An atom can encounter BBFF caused by the blackbody. We probe roles of blackbody friction radiations of the stray electromagnetic fields present in experimental set-up and other metallic shielding during measurements. Strengths of BBFFs on the alkali atoms are estimated by integrating complex parts of dynamic polarizabilities of atoms over a wide range of frequency. Slowdown times of moving atoms due to these friction forces are analysed as a function of temperature. The results are determined by both including and excluding nonresonant contributions in the polarizabilities of atomic states. This shows that inclusion of nonresonant contributions affects the slowdown time of atoms significantly at low temperatures. Our study will be useful in accounting for these slowdown times in the ongoing and future high-precision experiments involving alkali atoms.

Automated summary

This study investigates the roles of blackbody friction forces (BBFFs) in slowing down alkali atoms and their significance in high-precision measurements. By analyzing the blackbody friction radiation in the experimental setup, the strength of BBFFs on alkali atoms is estimated. The study shows that nonresonant contributions significantly affect the slowdown time of atoms at low temperatures. These findings are important for understanding and accounting for slowdown times in high-precision experiments involving alkali atoms.