The article studies the possibility of creating a compact magneto-optical trap (MOT) for ytterbium atoms by combining an atom chip with a planar diffraction grating. Such a system can simplify traditional laser-cooling setups, which normally require multiple laser beams and large magnetic coils.
We experimentally determine the optimal parameters of the magnetic field and laser radiation needed to cool the isotopes 171Yb and 174Yb and design an atom chip capable of producing magnetic field gradients up to about 50 G/cm. We also analyze several diffraction-grating configurations that can generate the required laser-beam geometry from a single incident beam.
The results show that combining an atom chip with diffraction-based optics could enable miniaturized cold-atom systems, which are promising for portable optical clocks, atom interferometers, and quantum sensors.
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