Loading of a cold atomic beam into a magnetic guide

Abstract

We demonstrate experimentally the continuous and pulsed loading of a slow and cold atomic beam into a magnetic guide. The slow beam is produced using a vapor loaded laser trap, which ensures two-dimensional magneto-optical trapping, as well as cooling by a moving molasses along the third direction. It provides a continuous flux larger than $10^9$ atoms/s with an adjustable mean velocity ranging from 0.3 to 3 m/s, and with longitudinal and transverse temperatures smaller than $100 \mu$K. Up to $3 10^8$ atoms/s are injected into the magnetic guide and subsequently guided over a distance of 40 cm.