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We report the observation of quantized energy levels for the motion of cesium atoms in optical molasses consisting of two counterpropagating σ+ beams and a small transverse magnetic field. The observation of overtones proves the existence of at least four bound states in each optical potential well. The absorption spectrum is dramatically modified when an additional longitudinal magnetic field is applied. In particular, a population inversion between quantized levels is observed.
Lounis et al. (Fri,) studied this question.