Simultaneous magneto-optical trapping of three atomic species

Abstract

We report on the simultaneous trapping of two fermionic species, $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{K}$, and a bosonic species, $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$, demonstrating the first three-species magneto-optical trap (``triple MOT''). The apparatus including the atom sources and the three laser systems is described, and the single-species MOTs and the triple MOT are characterized. In triple MOT operation, typical atom numbers of $3.2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ for $^{6}\mathrm{Li}$, $1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ for $^{40}\mathrm{K}$, and $5.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{9}$ for $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ were achieved. Trap loss due to interspecies collisions was observed. We describe our way to optimize the triple MOT and turn it into a suitable source for the goal to achieve quantum degeneracy by evaporative and sympathetic cooling.