Atom trapping in deeply bound states of a far-off-resonance optical lattice

We form a one-dimensional optical lattice for Cs atoms using light tuned a few thousand linewidths below atomic resonance. Atoms are selectively loaded into deeply bound states by adiabatic transfer from a superimposed, near-resonance optical lattice. This yields a mean vibrational excitation n-bar≈0.3 and localization Δz≈λ/20. Light scattering subsequently heats the atoms, but the initial rate is only of order 10^-3 vibrational quanta per oscillation period. Low vibrational excitation, strong localization, and low heating rates make these atoms good candidates for resolved-sideband Raman cooling.