Laser spectroscopy of the 4s4p {sup 3}P{sub 2} - 4s3d {sup 1}D{sub 2} transition on magnetically trapped calcium atoms
Laser excitation of the 4s4p {sup 3}P{sub 2} - 4s3d {sup 1}D{sub 2} transition in atomic calcium has been observed and the wavelength determined to 1530.5298(6) nm. The metastable 4s4p {sup 3}P{sub 2} atoms were magnetically trapped in the quadrupole magnetic field of a magneto-optical trap. This state represents the only ''loss'' channel for the calcium atoms when laser cooled on the 4s{sup 2} {sup 1}S{sub 0} - 4s4p {sup 1}P{sub 1} transition. A rate equation model shows that an order of magnitude more atoms are trapped in this state compared with those taking part in the main cooling cycle. Excitation of the {sup 3}P{sub 2} atoms back up to the 4s3d {sup 1}D{sub 2} state provides a means of accessing these atoms. Efficient repumping is achieved if the 1530-nm laser is used in conjunction with a 672-nm laser driving the 4s3d {sup 1}D{sub 2} - 4s5p {sup 1}P{sub 1} transition. In the present experiment, we detected about 4.5x10{sup 4} trapped {sup 3}P{sub 2} atoms, a relatively low atom density, and measured a lifetime of approximately 1 s, which is limited by background collisions.