Development and construction of a Zeeman slower for dysprosium atoms

• Grant number: 15/12912-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: March 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Principal Investigator: Emanuel Alves de Lima Henn
• Grantee: Marcos Paulo Miotti
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

In this project we will plan, design, build and test a Zeeman slower for Dysprosium atoms. Dysprosium is a rare-earth element and the most magnetic element in the periodic table. As such, added by the possibility to perform laser cooling in this atomic species, it becomes the perfect candidate for the establishment of a new research line in our group: ultracold dipolar quantum gases. Unfortunately, Dysprosium only evaporates at high temperatures, even under vacuum. The atomic beam generated at those temperatures must be cooled in order to load an atomic trap. The Zeeman slowing technique is perfect in this scenario. In this technique the atomic beam propagates through a solenoid with a tailored magnetic field. Counter propagating to the atomic beam we have a laser resonant with one of the atomic transitions and the magnetic field is responsible to compensate the Doppler shift at each point throughout the whole deceleration process. Typically, such Zeeman slower are able to provide a large flu of slow atoms at their ends, ideal conditions to load atomic traps. (AU)