Narrow-linewidth cooling of $^{6}$Li atoms using the 2S-3P transition

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates narrow-linewidth laser cooling of $^{6}$Li atoms using a UV transition, achieving high atom numbers and low temperatures, and enabling efficient magnetic transport for quantum experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel UV MOT cooling scheme for $^{6}$Li atoms combining UV and red MOTs, improving atom number and temperature control.

Findings

Achieved $1.3 imes10^9$ atoms at 58 μK with UV MOT.

Demonstrated efficient magnetic transport of $^{6}$Li atoms.

Obtained $8.1 imes10^8$ atoms at 296 μK in the science chamber.

Abstract

We report on a narrow-linewidth cooling of $^{6}$Li atoms using the $2S_{1/2}\to 3P_{3/2}$ transition in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength regime. By combining the traditional red magneto-optical trap (MOT) at 671 nm and the UV MOT at 323 nm, we obtain a cold sample of $1.3\times10^9$ atoms with a temperature of 58 $\mu$K. Furthermore, we demonstrate a high efficiency magnetic transport for $^{6}$Li atoms with the help of the UV MOT. Finally, we obtain $8.1\times10^8$ atoms with a temperature of 296 $\mu$K at a magnetic gradient of 198 G/cm in the science chamber with a good vacuum environment and large optical access.