Trap loss in a dual-speciesRb−Ar*magneto-optical trap

Abstract

We have investigated trap loss in a dual-species magneto-optical trap (MOT) comprised of $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ and metastable $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$. We measure the trap loss rate coefficients for each species due to the presence of the other as a function of trap light intensity. We clearly identify both Penning ionization of Rb by ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{*}$ and associative ionization to form the molecular ion $\mathrm{Rb}{\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$ as two of the trap loss channels. We have also measured the trap loss rate coefficient for the ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{*}$ MOT alone and observe production of ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$ and $\mathrm{Ar}_{2}{}^{+}$ ions.