EFFICIENT TRANSFER IN A DOUBLE MAGNETOOPTICAL TRAP SYSTEM

We demonstrate the transfer of potassium atoms from a vapor-cell type magneto-optical trap (MOT) to a second MOT up to 75 cm away with the u se of a spatially narrow push laser that generates a 40-m/s atomic bea m. By adding two-dimensional MOT's (atomic funnels) along the transfer path to generate transverse cooling and compression of the beam, we c an consistently transfer 78 +/- 10% of the atoms. (C) 1998 Optical Soc iety of America [S0740-3224(98)01711-1] OCIS codes: 020.7010, 140.3320 .