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arXiv:1512.06723 · Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Direct loading of a large Yb MOT on the 1 S 0 → 3 P 1 transition

Alexander Guttridge, S. A. Hopkins, S. L. Kemp, D Boddy, R. Freytag, M. P. A. Jones, Michael R. Tarbutt, E. A. Hinds, Simon L. Cornish

Published Jun 28, 2016• 32 citations

Abstract

Abstract We report a robust technique for laser frequency stabilisation that enables the reproducible loading of in excess of 10 9 Yb atoms from a Zeeman slower directly into a magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the 1 S 0 → 3 P 1 transition, without the need for a first stage MOT on the 1 S 0 → 1 P 1 transition. We use a simple atomic beam apparatus to generate narrow fluorescence signals on both the 399 nm 1 S 0 → 1 P 1 transition used for the Zeeman slower and the 556 nm 1 S 0 → 3 P 1 transition. We present in detail the methods for obtaining spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio and demonstrate error signals suitable for robust frequency stabilisation. Finally we demonstrate the stability and precision of our technique through sensitive measurements of the gravitational sag of the Yb MOT as a function of the intensity of the laser cooling beams, which are in good agreement with theory. These results will be important for efficient loading of the atoms into an optical dipole trap.

DOI: 10.1088/0953-4075/49/14/145006

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Abstract We report a robust technique for laser frequency stabilisation that enables the reproducible loading of in excess of 10 9 Yb atoms from a Zeeman slower directly into a magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the 1 S 0 → 3 P 1 transition, without the need for a first stage MOT on the 1 S 0 → 1 P 1 transition. We use a simple atomic beam apparatus to generate narrow fluorescence signals on both the 399 nm 1 S 0 → 1 P 1 transition used for the Zeeman slower and the 556 nm 1 S 0 → 3 P 1 transition. We present in detail the methods for obtaining spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio and demonstrate error signals suitable for robust frequency stabilisation. Finally we demonstrate the stability and precision of our technique through sensitive measurements of the gravitational sag of the Yb MOT as a function of the intensity of the laser cooling beams, which are in good agreement with theory. These results will be important for efficient loading of the atoms into an optical dipole trap.

We present our technique to create a magneto-optical trap (MOT) for dysprosium atoms using the narrow-line cooling transition at 626 nm to achieve suitable conditions for direct loading into an optical dipole trap. The MOT is loaded from an atomic beam via a Zeeman slower using the strongest atomic transition at 421 nm. With this combination of two cooling transitions we can trap up to 2.0·10(8) atoms at temperatures down to 6 μK. This cooling approach is simpler than present work with ultracold dysprosium and provides similar starting conditions for a transfer to an optical dipole trap.

We report the realization of ytterbium magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the dipole-allowed 1 S 0 — 1 P 1 transition at 398.9 nm. The MOT is loaded by a slowed atomic beam produced by a Zeeman slower. All seven stable isotopes of Yb atoms could be trapped separately at different laser detuning values. Over 10 7 174 Yb atoms are collected in the MOT, whereas the atom number of fermionic isotope 171 Yb is roughly 2.3 × 10 6 due to a lower abundance. Without the Zeeman slower, the trapped atom numbers are one order of magnitude lower. Both the even and odd isotopes are recognized as excellent candidates of optical clock transition, so the cooling and trapping of ytterbium atoms by the blue MOT is an important step for building an optical clock.

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We present our technique to create a magneto-optical trap for dysprosium atoms using the narrow-line cooling transition at 626

\,

nm to achieve suitable conditions for direct loading into an optical dipole trap. The magneto-optical trap is loaded from an atomic beam via a Zeeman slower using the strongest atomic transition at 421

\,

nm. With this combination of two cooling transitions we can trap up to

2.0\cdot10^8

atoms at temperatures down to 6

\, \mu

K. This cooling approach is simpler than present work with ultracold dysprosium and provides similar starting conditions for a transfer to an optical dipole trap.