Optimization of Evaporative cooling in an all-optical trap

All-optical approaches for creating degenerate quantum gases offer versatility, simplicity and speed[1]. We have studied the loading and evaporation processes in CO$_{2}$ laser traps of $^{87}$Rb atoms in detail. Using a high power laser, we have loaded over 20 million atoms into a single beam trap and have created condensates in excess of $10^5$ atoms with only a few seconds of evaporation. We have measured the key properties governing evaporative cooling in the trap from initial loading down through condensation. We will discuss optimization of loading and evaporation using optical techniques and will present our latest results. \\ \\ 1. M.D. Barrett, J.A. Sauer, and M.S. Chapman, Phys. Rev. Lett., \textbf{87}, 010404 (2001)