Simple Magneto-Optical and Magnetic Traps for Dysprosium

Abstract

Dysprosium (Dy) is the most magnetic element on the periodic table, making it excellent for studying dipolar atom-atom interactions. We report on a simple Dy MOT that captures atoms directly from the thermal beam using a single diode-laser system to generate the light. Additionally, the atoms are magnetically confined by the quadrupole magnetic field that also facilitates the MOT. The MOT loading time is $\ddot{I}{„}_{\text{b}}=26\text{ms}$. Atoms can decay to a dark state that is magnetically trapped. The time constant for loading into this magnetic trap is $\ddot{I}{„}_{\text{d}}=410\text{ms}$. The total magnetically trapped population is $1.14\times 10^5$ atoms, with $85\%$ residing in the dark states. The magnetically trapped atoms have a temperature of $28\hat{I}¼\text{K}$, significantly below the Doppler limit. This population fulfills the requirements for a range of future experiments.

8 pages, 11 figures