@article{2007-choi-an-phys-rev-a-v76-p013402, Abstract = {We have measured the loading and loss rates in a magneto-optical trap only with a few atoms by directly counting atom-number changing events. Unambiguous formulas are presented for the calculation of those rates from a step-wise time sequence of the fluorescence of the trapped atoms. With a recently developed atom-number feedback technique we could efficiently measure the loading rate as a function of the magnetic field gradient for the initial number of trapped atoms of zero. We could also measure the one- and two-atom loss rates as functions of the trap laser intensity for a precisely prepared initial number of trapped atoms. Each of these rates has been measured independently by directly counting the corresponding atom-number-changing events, without any influence from or inference to the other rates.}, Author = {Choi, Y. AND Yoon, S. AND Kang, S. AND Kim, W. AND Lee, J. AND An, K.}, Journal = {Phys. Rev. A}, Pages = {013402}, Title = {{Direct measurement of loading and loss rates in a magneto-optical trap with atom-number feedback}}, Volume = {76}, Year = {2007} }