Optimized U-MOT for experiments with ultracold atoms near surfaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces an integrated wire-based magnetooptical trap that simplifies trapping large numbers of ultracold atoms near surfaces, achieving Bose-Einstein condensation without quadrupole coils.

Contribution

It presents a novel U-shaped wire structure enabling efficient atom trapping and cooling near surfaces, reducing complexity and equipment needed.

Findings

Collected over 3×10^8 atoms in a mirror MOT

Successfully cooled atoms to Bose-Einstein condensate near a surface

Eliminated the need for quadrupole coils in the setup

Abstract

We present an integrated wire-based magnetooptical trap for the simplified trapping and cooling of large numbers of neutral atoms near material surfaces. With a modified U-shaped current-carrying Cu structure we collect $>3\times 10^8$ $^{87}$Rb atoms in a mirror MOT without using quadrupole coils. These atoms are subsequently loaded to a Z-wire trap where they are evaporatively cooled to a Bose-Einstein condensate close to the surface.