Simultaneous magneto-optical trapping of lithium and ytterbium atoms towards production of ultracold polar molecules

Abstract We have successfully implemented the first simultaneous magneto-optical trapping (MOT) of lithium (Li) and ytterbium (Yb) atoms, towards production of ultracold polar molecules of LiYb. For this purpose, we developed the dual atomic oven which contains both atomic species as an atom source and successfully observed the spectra of the Li and Yb atoms in the atomic beams from the dual atomic oven. We constructed the vacuum chamber including the glass cell with the windows made of zinc selenium (ZnSe) for the CO2 lasers, which are the useful light sources of optical trapping for evaporative and sympathetic cooling. Typical atom numbers and temperatures in the compressed MOT are 7×10 atoms, 640 μK for Li, 7×10 atoms and 60 μK for Yb, respectively.