Pursuing the coldest matter in the universe: quantum degenerate gases*

We report on details on an apparatus for studies of ultracold atomic systems and quantum degenerate gases. Specifically, will we discuss laser cooling and trapping techniques to obtain ultracold (T < 1 mK) atomic samples and all-optical trapping and evaporative cooling to reach quantum degeneracy (T ~ 100 nK). We will also discuss detection and characterization of cold atom clouds through absorption imaging and present our recent progress towards studies of spinor systems.