Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 34: Poster 1
Q 34.53: Poster
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 16:30–19:00, Poster.I+II
2D/3D-MOT System for the Production of Quantum-Degenerate Gases of Ytterbium — •Sören Dörscher, Alexander Thobe, Bastian Hundt, Christoph Becker, and Klaus Sengstock — Institut für Laserphysik, Universität Hamburg, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
Quantum gases of two-electron atoms are an exciting new branch within the field of ultracold atoms. Three different elements (Yb, Ca and Sr) and various isotopes have been cooled to degeneracy so far. Their complex level structure gives rise to a number of unique features such as long-lived electronically excited states interconnected by ultranarrow optical transitions and a near-perfect decoupling of the total spin from the electronic state and thus collisional processes.
Here, we report on a new experimental apparatus for the generation of ultracold quantum gases of Ytterbium atoms. With this setup we realize for the first time a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (MOT) as a source of Ytterbium atoms, which we load directly into a three-dimensional MOT on the narrow 1S0→3P1 intercombination transition. This loading scheme allows for a very compact apparatus that provides optimal, versatile optical access to the system.