Narrow-Line Cooling Light for a Magneto-Optical Trap of Erbium Atoms

We describe an experimental setup for producing a large cold erbium (Er) sample in a narrow-line magneto-optical trap (MOT) in a simple and efficient way. We implement a pair of angled slowing beams with respect to the Zeeman slower axis, and further slow down atoms exiting from the Zeeman slower. The second-stage slowing beams enable the narrow-line MOT to trap atoms exiting from the Zeeman slower with higher velocity. This scheme is particularly useful when the Zeeman slower is at low optical power without the conventional transverse cooling between an oven and a Zeeman slower, in which case we significantly improve the loading efficiency into the MOT and are able to trap more than ${10}^{8}$ atoms in the narrow-line MOT of $^{166}\mathrm{Er}$ . This work highlights our implementation, which greatly simplifies laser cooling and trapping of Er atoms and also should benefit other similar elements.We describe an experimental setup for producing a large cold erbium (Er) sample in a narrow-line magneto-optical trap (MOT) in a simple and efficient way. We implement a pair of angled slowing beams with respect to the Zeeman slower axis, and further slow down atoms exiting from the Zeeman slower. The second-stage slowing beams enable the narrow-line MOT to trap atoms exiting from the Zeeman slower with higher velocity. This scheme is particularly useful when the Zeeman slower is at low optical power without the conventional transverse cooling between an oven and a Zeeman slower, in which case we significantly improve the loading efficiency into the MOT and are able to trap more than ${10}^{8}$ atoms in the narrow-line MOT of $^{166}\mathrm{Er}$. This work highlights our implementation, which greatly simplifies laser cooling and trapping of Er atoms and also should benefit other similar elements.

arXiv:1912.12649Physical Review AJul 17, 202029 citations

Two-species five-beam magneto-optical trap for erbium and dysprosium

P. Ilzhöfer, Gianmaria Durastante, A. Patscheider +3 more

We report on the first realization of a two-species magneto-optical trap (MOT) for the highly magnetic erbium and dysprosium atoms. The MOT operates on an intercombination line for the respective species. Owing to the narrow-line character of such a cooling transition and the action of gravity, we demonstrate a trap geometry employing only five beams in the orthogonal configuration. We observe that the mixture is cooled and trapped very efficiently, with up to $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ Er atoms and ${10}^{9}$ Dy atoms at temperatures of about 10 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$. Our results offer an ideal starting condition for the creation of a dipolar quantum mixture of highly magnetic atoms.We report on the first realization of a two-species magneto-optical trap (MOT) for the highly magnetic erbium and dysprosium atoms. The MOT operates on an intercombination line for the respective species. Owing to the narrow-line character of such a cooling transition and the action of gravity, we demonstrate a trap geometry employing only five beams in the orthogonal configuration. We observe that the mixture is cooled and trapped very efficiently, with up to $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ Er atoms and ${10}^{9}$ Dy atoms at temperatures of about 10 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$. Our results offer an ideal starting condition for the creation of a dipolar quantum mixture of highly magnetic atoms.

arXiv:1711.07378Physical Review AFeb 26, 201850 citations

Narrow-Line Laser Cooling and Trapping of Strongly Magnetic Atoms

Andrew J. Berglund, James L. Hanssen, Jabez J. McClelland

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 31, 20080 citations

Magneto-optical trapping of erbium atoms: trapping without repumping

Jabez J. McClelland, J. L. Hanssen

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 18, 20060 citations

{10}^{8}

atoms in the narrow-line MOT of

^{166}\mathrm{Er}

. This work highlights our implementation, which greatly simplifies laser cooling and trapping of Er atoms and also should benefit other similar elements.

{10}^{9}

Dy atoms at temperatures of about 10 $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$. Our results offer an ideal starting condition for the creation of a dipolar quantum mixture of highly magnetic atoms.