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arXiv · 2511.08193

A Compact Dual-Beam Zeeman Slower for High-Flux Cold Atoms

Chen Chen·Kejun Liu·Dezhou Deng·Shuchang Ma·Peng Zhu·Zhichang He·J. F. Che·Xiaoxiao Wu·Peng Chen
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Abstract

We present a compact design of dual-beam Zeeman slower optimized for efficient production of cold atom applications. Traditional single-beam configurations face challenges from substantial residual atomic flux impacting downstream optical windows, resulting in increased system size, atomic deposition contamination, and a reduced operational lifetime. Our approach employs two oblique laser beams and a capillary-array collimation system to address these challenges while maintaining efficient deceleration. For rubidium ($^{87}$Rb), simulations demonstrate a significant increase in the fraction of atoms captured by a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap (2D-MOT) and nearly eliminate atom-induced contamination probability at optical windows, all within a compact Zeeman slower length of 44 cm. Experimental validation with Rb and Yb demonstrates highly efficient atomic loading within the same compact design. This advancement represents a substantial improvement for high-flux cold atom applications, providing reliable performance for high-precision metrology, quantum computation and simulation.

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Chen Chen, Kejun Liu, Dezhou Deng, Shuchang Ma, Peng Zhu, Zhichang He, J. F. Che, Xiaoxiao Wu, Peng Chen. 2025-11-11. A Compact Dual-Beam Zeeman Slower for High-Flux Cold Atoms. https://doi.org/10.1103/17w5-9kqq

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