Magneto-Optic Trapping of Chromium Atoms

C. C. Bradley, Jabez J. McClelland, W. R. Anderson +1 more

Radu Chicireanu, Quentin Beaufils, A. Pouderous +5 more

Marin Pichler, Shannon B. Hill, Jabez J. McClelland

A surface magneto-optical trap for chromium atoms is demonstrated as a first step toward loading atoms into microscopic magnetic traps. Characteristics of the trap and transfer to microscopic magnetic traps will be discussed.

Tilman Pfau, S. Hensler, J. Stühler +4 more

Summary form only given. We present our results on the realization of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) for chromium atoms with repumpers on two intercombination lines. The high magnetic moment (6 Bohr magneton) and the isotopic composition of chromium are promising for investigation of collective quantum statistical effects in ultracold Bose- and Fermi gases in steep magnetic traps. Chromium is also interesting in view of its applications in atom lithography.

C.C. Bradley, Jabez J. McClelland, W.R. Anderson +1 more

Summary form only given. We have constructed a magneto-optical trap for chromium atoms. The motivation for this work lies in the usefulness of chromium for atom-optically controlled deposition, and the fact that a magneto-optically trapped sample of atoms provides a high-brightness monochromatic source of atoms. Further motivation exists in the possible production of quantum-degenerate Bose and Fermi gases with different isotopes of Cr.

Robert deCarvalho