Versatile transporter apparatus for experiments with optically trapped Bose-Einstein condensates

We describe a versatile and simple scheme for producing magnetically and optically-trapped 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensates, based on a moving-coil transporter apparatus. The apparatus features a TOP trap that incorporates the movable quadrupole coils used for magneto-optical trapping and long-distance magnetic transport of atomic clouds. As a stand-alone device, this trap allows for the stable production of condensates containing up to one million atoms. In combination with an optical dipole trap, the TOP trap acts as a funnel for efficient loading, after which the quadrupole coils can be retracted, thereby maximizing optical access. The robustness of this scheme is illustrated by realizing the superfluid-to-Mott insulator transition in a three-dimensional optical lattice. PACS numbers: 67.85.-d, 37.10.Gh, 67.85.Hj † Present address: Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland. ‡ Present address: Physik Department, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany. ar X iv :0 90 7. 13 23 v2 [ co nd -m at .q ua nt -g as ] 2 0 Ju l 2 00 9