Noise-induced Transition between Dynamic Attractors in the Parametrically Excited Magneto-optical Trap

We have investigated noise-induced transition of atoms between double or triple phase-space attractors that are produced in the parametrically driven magneto-optical trap. The transition rates between two or three dynamic attractors, measured for various modulation frequencies and amplitudes, are in good agreement with theoretical calculations and Monte-Carlo simulations based on the Langevin equations. Our experiment may be useful to study nonlinear dynamic problems involving transitions between states far from equilibrium.