Trapping and cooling of potassium isotopes in a double-magneto-optical-trap apparatus

Abstract
We report on the efficient operation of a double-magneto-optical-trap (MOT) apparatus for potassium isotopes. Mechanisms for the cooling and the transfer between the two MOTs are studied. A magnetic quadrupole trap has been loaded from the second MOT; density and temperature appear to be promising for starting runaway evaporative cooling.