Cold inelastic collisions between lithium and cesium in a two-species magneto-optical trap

We investigate collisional properties of lithium and cesium which are simul taneously confined in a combined magneto-optical trap. Trap-loss collisions between the two species are comprehensively studied. Different inelastic c ollision channels are identified, and inter-species rate coefficients as we ll as cross-sections are determined. It is found that loss rates are indepe ndent of the optical excitation of Li, as a consequence of the repulsive Li *-Cs interaction. Li and Cs loss by inelastic inter-species collisions can completely be attributed to processes involving optically excited cesium (f ine-structure changing collisions and radiative escape). By lowering the tr ap depth for Li; an additional loss channel of Li is observed which results from ground-state Li-Cs collisions changing the hyperfine state of cesium.