SIMULTANEOUS TRAPPING OF 2 DIFFERENT ATOMIC SPECIES IN A VAPOR-CELL MAGNETOOPTICAL TRAP

We have produced a magneto-optical trap that simultaneously confines t wo different atomic species: sodium and potassium. A measurement of th e sodium trap loss rate constant due to collisions with cold potassium atoms was performed. We extract this rate constant by measuring the t emporal behavior of the loading process of the sodium trap in the pres ence and absence of cold potassium. The constant that is obtained can be qualitatively explained using simple existing models. Future applic ations of simultaneous trapping are discussed.