Collimated, single-pass atom source from a pulsed alkali metal dispenser for laser-cooling experiments

Abstract

We have developed an improved scheme for loading atoms into a magneto-optical trap (MOT) from a directed alkali metal dispenser in < 10^-10 torr ultra-high vacuum conditions. A current-driven dispenser was surrounded with a cold absorbing "shroud" held at < 0 C, pumping rubidium atoms not directed into the MOT. This nearly eliminates background alkali atoms and reduces the detrimental rise in pressure normally associated with these devices. The system can be well-described as a current-controlled, rapidly-switched, two-temperature thermal beam, and was used to load a MOT with 3 x 10^8 atoms.

5 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Realization of Bose-Einstein condensates in lower dimensions
• Dynamical response of a Bose-Einstein condensate to a discontinuous change in internal state
• Loading of a Rb magneto-optic trap from a getter source

Cited by in corpus (8)

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• Characterization of Alkali Metal Dispensers and Non-Evaporable Getter Pumps in Ultra-High Vacuum Systems for Cold Atomic Sensors
• A magneto-optic trap using a reversible, solid-state alkali-metal source
• A 3D-printed alkali metal dispenser
• On continuous loading of a U-magneto-optical trap (U-MOT) on atom-chip in ultra high vacuum
• Jet-Loaded Cold Atomic Beam Source for Strontium