Simultaneous Magneto-Optical Trapping of Two Lithium Isotopes

Abstract

We confine 4 10^8 fermionic 6Li atoms simultaneously with 9 10^9 bosonic 7Li atoms in a magneto-optical trap based on an all-semiconductor laser system. We optimize the two-isotope sample for sympathetic evaporative cooling. This is an essential step towards the production of a quantum-degenerate gas of fermionic lithium atoms.

4 pages, 3 figures