Changing a velocity distributions

[Niles]

Hi

Say I have a Gaussian velocity distribution for a collection of particles. Then I make a change to the setup in a way that the velocity distribution changes. This change is such that a part (not all) of the distribution gets bunched into one particular velocity class lower than the mean of the Gaussian.

Does this constitute cooling of the atoms as well as slowing? I would say no myself, as "cooling" is a collective parameter of all the atoms, not just some of them.


Niles.

 

[Simon Bridge]

The velocities are still random?
What is the relationship between randomized kinetic energy (and, therefore, speed) and temperature?

 

[Redbelly98]

Hi

Say I have a Gaussian velocity distribution for a collection of particles. Then I make a change to the setup in a way that the velocity distribution changes. This change is such that a part (not all) of the distribution gets bunched into one particular velocity class lower than the mean of the Gaussian.

Does this constitute cooling of the atoms as well as slowing? I would say no myself, as "cooling" is a collective parameter of all the atoms, not just some of them.


Niles.

It is considered cooling in the laser-cooling field, with the understanding that it is a subset of the entire collection of atoms that has been cooled.