Compact setup for the production of $^{87}$Rb $|F = 2, m_F = +2\rangle$ Bose-Einstein condensates in a hybrid trap

TL;DR

This paper describes a compact and efficient experimental setup for producing Bose-Einstein condensates of rubidium-87 in a specific hyperfine state using a hybrid magnetic and optical trapping method, with detailed control systems.

Contribution

The authors introduce a compact apparatus that combines a magneto-optical trap, a hybrid magnetic-optical trap, and controlled evaporation to reliably produce BECs in under a minute.

Findings

Produces pure BEC in 50 seconds

Uses hybrid trap with magnetic and optical components

Achieves controlled evaporation for condensation

Abstract

We present a compact experimental apparatus for Bose-Einstein condensation of $^{87}$Rb in the $|F = 2, m_F = +2\rangle$ state. A pre-cooled atomic beam of $^{87}$Rb is obtained by using an unbalanced magneto-optical trap, allowing controlled transfer of trapped atoms from the first vacuum chamber to the science chamber. Here, atoms are transferred to a hybrid trap, as produced by overlapping a magnetic quadrupole trap with a far-detuned optical trap with crossed beam configuration, where forced radiofrequency evaporation is realized. The final evaporation leading to Bose-Einstein condensation is then performed by exponentially lowering the optical trap depth. Control and stabilization systems of the optical trap beams are discussed in detail. The setup reliably produces a pure condensate in the $|F = 2, m_F = +2\rangle$ state in 50 s, which include 33 s loading of the science magneto-optical trap and 17 s forced evaporation.