© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

Terms Privacy Legal Notice

Chinese Physics B

Enhanced Atom Transport in an Ytterbium 2D-MOT with an Off-Axis Push Beam

Ailong TAO, Di Hu, Meifeng Ye, Shiyuan Zhu, X X Xu, Y M Liu, Heng Xiong, Z. S. Xu, Liang Liu, Tang Li

Published Apr 17, 2026• 0 citations

Abstract

Abstract We present the first implementation of a slow ytterbium atomic beam source based on a compact two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D-MOT) for ytterbium optical clocks. Detailed experiment parameters are optimized through Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and experimentally validated by the loading behavior of the subsequent 3D-MOT. Specifically, theoretical modeling reveals significant asymmetry in atomic beam distribution across the differential pumping channel (DPC), indicating critical dependence of the pre-cooled efficiency on the pushing beam alignment. Numerical simulation shows that a deviation of approximately 5◦ between the pushing beam and the normal incidence axis can effectively mitigate the distribution asymmetry and then enhance the 3D-MOT capture efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate a maximum 3D-MOT loading rate of 1.5×10 8 atoms/s with steady-state atom number exceeding 8×10 7 , fully demonstrating the feasibility of this scheme for ytterbium atoms. The system offers a compact design coupled with significantly reduced power consumption. These inherent features establish a robust platform for developing portable optical clocks and other field-deployable quantum technologies.

DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/ae60ee

Related papers

Efficient Loading of an Yb MOT on the 1S0 → 1P1 Transition

Zhufang Zhao, Shunxiang Wang, Jun Jian +5 more

We demonstrate efficient loading of an Yb three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D MOT) on the 1S0 → 1P1 transition. The experiment employs a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT) as an efficient cold atom source. Through optimization of the 2D MOT, auxiliary Zeeman slower, and push beam parameters that govern atomic capture, we achieve an atomic loading rate of 5 × 106 atoms/s in the 3D MOT, with approximately ∼107 trapped atoms. Our experimental results confirm the successful transfer of a substantial number of atoms from the 2D region to the science chamber via the push beam, providing an experimental foundation for subsequent implementation of narrow-line MOT and two-color MOT.

Photonics•Oct 28, 2025•1 citation

Enhanced cold mercury atom production with two-dimensional magneto-optical trap

Ye Zhang, Qixin Liu, Jianfang Sun +2 more

A cold atom source is important for quantum metrology and precision measurement. To reduce the quantum projection noise limit in optical lattice clock, one can increase the number of cold atoms and reduce the dead time by enhancing the loading rate. In this work, we realize an enhanced cold mercury atom source based on a two-dimensional (2D) magneto-optical trap (MOT). The vacuum system is composed of two titanium chambers connected with a differential pumping tube. Two stable cooling laser systems are adopted for the 2D-MOT and the three-dimensional (3D)-MOT, respectively. Using an optimized 2D-MOT and push beam, about 1.3×106 atoms, which are almost an order of magnitude higher than using a pure 3D-MOT, are loaded into the 3D-MOT for 202Hg atoms. This enhanced cold mercury atom source is helpful in increasing the frequency stability of a neutral mercury lattice clock.

Chinese Physics B•Feb 10, 2022•7 citations

Sideband-Enhanced Cold Atomic Source for Optical Clocks

Matteo Barbiero, Marco G. Tarallo, Davide Calonico +3 more

We demonstrate the enhancement and optimization of a cold strontium atomic beam from a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT) transversely loaded from a collimated atomic beam by adding a sideband frequency to the cooling laser. The parameters of the cooling and sideband beams are scanned to achieve the maximum atomic beam flux and are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. We obtain a 2.3 times larger total atomic flux and a brightness increase of a factor 4 compared with a conventional, single-frequency 2D MOT for a given total power of 200 mW. We show that the sideband-enhanced 2D MOT can reach the loading-rate performances of space-demanding Zeeman-slower-based systems, while it can overcome systematic effects due to thermal-beam collisions and hot-black-body-radiation shift, making it suitable for both transportable and accurate optical lattice clocks. Finally, we numerically study possible extensions of the sideband-enhanced 2D MOT to other alkaline-earth species.

arXiv:1909.05810•Physical Review Applied•Jan 9, 2020•43 citations

Two-dimensional magneto-optical trap of dysprosium atoms as a compact source for efficient loading of a narrow-line three-dimensional magneto-optical trap

Shu‐Wei Jin, Jianshun Gao, Karthik Chandrashekara +3 more

We report on a scheme for loading dysprosium atoms into a narrow-line three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D MOT). Our approach replaces the conventional Zeeman slower with a two-dimensional (2D) MOT operating on the broad 421-nm line to create a high-flux beam of slow atoms. Even in the absence of a push beam, we demonstrate efficient loading of the 3D MOT, which operates on the narrower 626-nm intercombination line. Adding push beams working at either 421 nm or 626 nm, significant enhancement of the loading rate is achieved. We reach the best performance, with an enhancement factor of 3.6, using a push beam red-detuned to the 626-nm line. With loading rates greater than ${10}^{8}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{atoms/s}$ achieved at a moderate oven reservoir temperature of ${800}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{C}$, our method offers similar or greater performance than Zeeman-slower-based systems. Our 2D-MOT-based approach constitutes a promising first step towards state-of-the-art quantum gas experiments with several advantages over the Zeeman-slower-based setup and is readily adaptable to other open-shell lanthanides.

arXiv:2303.05191•Physical Review A•Aug 18, 2023•16 citations

Direct loading of Yb atoms into a 3D magneto-optical trap from a dispenser atomic source

Junia Nomura, Tomohiko Momma, Yuki Kojima +4 more

The realization of cold atoms using a compact and low-power-consumption experimental setup is indispensable for cold atom experiments, including optical clocks and quantum simulations. We demonstrate the direct loading of Yb atoms into a 3D magneto-optical trap (MOT) from a dispenser atomic source without using a Zeeman slower. The power consumption of the dispenser was ∼3 W. Spectroscopy of the atomic beam from the dispenser on the 6s2 1S0–6s6p 1P1 Yb transition at 399 nm shows that the flux of the atomic beam reaches 1.4 × 1013 s−1 cm−2. We can load up to 4.1 × 107 atoms into the MOT with slowing and trapping laser powers of 20.3 and 35.0 mW, respectively. The realized cold atom system is reliable and can be adapted for experiments on alkaline earth and other alkaline earth-like atoms.

AIP Advances•Feb 1, 2023•6 citations

Creation of quantum-degenerate gases of ytterbium in a compact 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap setup

Sören Dörscher, Alexander Thobe, Bastian Hundt +5 more

We report on the first experimental setup based on a 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap (MOT) scheme to create both Bose-Einstein condensates and degenerate Fermi gases of several ytterbium isotopes. Our setup does not require a Zeeman slower and offers the flexibility to simultaneously produce ultracold samples of other atomic species. Furthermore, the extraordinary optical access favors future experiments in optical lattices. A 2D-MOT on the strong (1)S0 → (1)P1 transition captures ytterbium directly from a dispenser of atoms and loads a 3D-MOT on the narrow (1)S0 → (3)P1 intercombination transition. Subsequently, atoms are transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled evaporatively to quantum degeneracy.

arXiv:1303.1105•Review of Scientific Instruments•Apr 1, 2013•62 citations

Abstract We present the first implementation of a slow ytterbium atomic beam source based on a compact two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D-MOT) for ytterbium optical clocks. Detailed experiment parameters are optimized through Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and experimentally validated by the loading behavior of the subsequent 3D-MOT. Specifically, theoretical modeling reveals significant asymmetry in atomic beam distribution across the differential pumping channel (DPC), indicating critical dependence of the pre-cooled efficiency on the pushing beam alignment. Numerical simulation shows that a deviation of approximately 5◦ between the pushing beam and the normal incidence axis can effectively mitigate the distribution asymmetry and then enhance the 3D-MOT capture efficiency. Experimental results demonstrate a maximum 3D-MOT loading rate of 1.5×10 8 atoms/s with steady-state atom number exceeding 8×10 7 , fully demonstrating the feasibility of this scheme for ytterbium atoms. The system offers a compact design coupled with significantly reduced power consumption. These inherent features establish a robust platform for developing portable optical clocks and other field-deployable quantum technologies.

We demonstrate efficient loading of an Yb three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D MOT) on the 1S0 → 1P1 transition. The experiment employs a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT) as an efficient cold atom source. Through optimization of the 2D MOT, auxiliary Zeeman slower, and push beam parameters that govern atomic capture, we achieve an atomic loading rate of 5 × 106 atoms/s in the 3D MOT, with approximately ∼107 trapped atoms. Our experimental results confirm the successful transfer of a substantial number of atoms from the 2D region to the science chamber via the push beam, providing an experimental foundation for subsequent implementation of narrow-line MOT and two-color MOT.

A cold atom source is important for quantum metrology and precision measurement. To reduce the quantum projection noise limit in optical lattice clock, one can increase the number of cold atoms and reduce the dead time by enhancing the loading rate. In this work, we realize an enhanced cold mercury atom source based on a two-dimensional (2D) magneto-optical trap (MOT). The vacuum system is composed of two titanium chambers connected with a differential pumping tube. Two stable cooling laser systems are adopted for the 2D-MOT and the three-dimensional (3D)-MOT, respectively. Using an optimized 2D-MOT and push beam, about 1.3×106 atoms, which are almost an order of magnitude higher than using a pure 3D-MOT, are loaded into the 3D-MOT for 202Hg atoms. This enhanced cold mercury atom source is helpful in increasing the frequency stability of a neutral mercury lattice clock.

We demonstrate the enhancement and optimization of a cold strontium atomic beam from a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT) transversely loaded from a collimated atomic beam by adding a sideband frequency to the cooling laser. The parameters of the cooling and sideband beams are scanned to achieve the maximum atomic beam flux and are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. We obtain a 2.3 times larger total atomic flux and a brightness increase of a factor 4 compared with a conventional, single-frequency 2D MOT for a given total power of 200 mW. We show that the sideband-enhanced 2D MOT can reach the loading-rate performances of space-demanding Zeeman-slower-based systems, while it can overcome systematic effects due to thermal-beam collisions and hot-black-body-radiation shift, making it suitable for both transportable and accurate optical lattice clocks. Finally, we numerically study possible extensions of the sideband-enhanced 2D MOT to other alkaline-earth species.

We report on a scheme for loading dysprosium atoms into a narrow-line three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (3D MOT). Our approach replaces the conventional Zeeman slower with a two-dimensional (2D) MOT operating on the broad 421-nm line to create a high-flux beam of slow atoms. Even in the absence of a push beam, we demonstrate efficient loading of the 3D MOT, which operates on the narrower 626-nm intercombination line. Adding push beams working at either 421 nm or 626 nm, significant enhancement of the loading rate is achieved. We reach the best performance, with an enhancement factor of 3.6, using a push beam red-detuned to the 626-nm line. With loading rates greater than

{10}^{8}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\text{atoms/s}

achieved at a moderate oven reservoir temperature of ${800}^{\ensuremath{\circ}}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{C}$, our method offers similar or greater performance than Zeeman-slower-based systems. Our 2D-MOT-based approach constitutes a promising first step towards state-of-the-art quantum gas experiments with several advantages over the Zeeman-slower-based setup and is readily adaptable to other open-shell lanthanides.

The realization of cold atoms using a compact and low-power-consumption experimental setup is indispensable for cold atom experiments, including optical clocks and quantum simulations. We demonstrate the direct loading of Yb atoms into a 3D magneto-optical trap (MOT) from a dispenser atomic source without using a Zeeman slower. The power consumption of the dispenser was ∼3 W. Spectroscopy of the atomic beam from the dispenser on the 6s2 1S0–6s6p 1P1 Yb transition at 399 nm shows that the flux of the atomic beam reaches 1.4 × 1013 s−1 cm−2. We can load up to 4.1 × 107 atoms into the MOT with slowing and trapping laser powers of 20.3 and 35.0 mW, respectively. The realized cold atom system is reliable and can be adapted for experiments on alkaline earth and other alkaline earth-like atoms.

We report on the first experimental setup based on a 2D-/3D-magneto-optical trap (MOT) scheme to create both Bose-Einstein condensates and degenerate Fermi gases of several ytterbium isotopes. Our setup does not require a Zeeman slower and offers the flexibility to simultaneously produce ultracold samples of other atomic species. Furthermore, the extraordinary optical access favors future experiments in optical lattices. A 2D-MOT on the strong (1)S0 → (1)P1 transition captures ytterbium directly from a dispenser of atoms and loads a 3D-MOT on the narrow (1)S0 → (3)P1 intercombination transition. Subsequently, atoms are transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap and cooled evaporatively to quantum degeneracy.