Lithium-cesium slow beam from a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap

We present the creation of a lithium-cesium slow beam using a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap. The two-species atomic beam is directed to load a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap in ultrahigh vacuum. We achieve a loading rate of 1.3 x 10(7) lithium atoms/s with the lithium oven temperature at 370 degrees C and 2.2 x 10 7 cesium atoms/s with the Cs oven temperature at 20 degrees C. The maximum numbers of lithium and cesium atoms in the trap are 1.0 x 10(9) and 1.4 x 10(8), respectively. Our results show that the simple and compact two-dimensional magneto-optical trap is suitable for producing an atomic beam of two species that have a large mass ratio and very different volatilities.

Automated summary

A lithium-cesium slow beam is created using a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap, leading to high loading rates and maximum numbers of atoms in the trap. The results demonstrate that this method is suitable for producing an atomic beam of two species with a large mass ratio and very different volatilities.