Zeeman-tuned slowing of rubidium using σ and σ polarized light

Experimental results are presented for Zeeman-tuned slowing of an atomic rubidium beam in both the σ⁺ and σ⁻ polarized light configurations. A model of Zeeman slowing is applied to ideal magnetic fields, realistic fields, and the actual measured fields in order to clarify the similarities and differences between σ⁺ and σ⁻ slowing. The dependence of the final slowed velocity on the laser frequency detuning is studied and good agreement is found between the experimental results and both computer simulations and approximate analytic expressions.