We study a method to improve the loading efficiency of atoms into a magneto-optical trap located near an atom chip. We propose focusing a slow atomic beam using a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D MOT) placed between a low-velocity intense source and the chip. This focusing compresses the atomic beam into a small region where trapping is most efficient. As a result, about 90% of atoms can be concentrated within a ~250 µm region, increasing the local atomic flux and potentially enhancing the atom-loading rate by up to about 160 times. The method can improve the performance of compact quantum sensors and other cold-atom devices based on atom chips.
Full version of the article is available here