Li Fermi Gas Apparatus for Quantum Simulation*

We discuss progress made in implementing a new apparatus for creating and studying novel quantum phases of matter in optical lattices. Our scheme employs narrow linewidth cooling on the 2S-3P UV transition of ⁶Li in an optical trap [1]. From experience, we expect a cycling time of 12s to cool 10⁶ atoms to T = 0.05 T_F. We discuss the motivation for a Ti science chamber, which features a large optical access with a numerical aperture of 0.7 along the vertical direction, orthogonal to the Feshbach coils. This chamber facilitates precise shaping of the optical potential using 532 nm beams to compensate the inhomogeneous trapping potential, thus making a box trap. These capabilities will enable us to further explore the spin-imbalanced Fermi gas in the quasi-1D regime [2] and other phases of matter that are targets for quantum simulation with optical lattice potentials.

 

 

[1] P. M. Duarte et al., Phys. Rev. A 84, 061406 (2011).

 

[2] M. C. Revelle et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 235301 (2016).