Simultaneous trapping of two different atomic species in a vapor-cell magneto-optical trap

Abstract

We have produced a magneto-optical trap that simultaneously confines two different atomic species: sodium and potassium. A measurement of the sodium trap loss rate constant due to collisions with cold potassium atoms was performed. We extract this rate constant by measuring the temporal behavior of the loading process of the sodium trap in the presence and absence of cold potassium. The constant that is obtained can be qualitatively explained using simple existing models. Future applications of simultaneous trapping are discussed.