We describe the design and performance of a slow atom source based on a 2D magneto-optical trap ( MOT) that uses an innovative simple optical configuration. Metal-coated retro-reflecting prisms replace mirrors and quarter-wave plates so the optical power of the cooling laser beam is recycled. This source has been characterised for three different configurations: with and without transverse magnetic field gradient, and with a pusher beam to obtain a 2D(+)-MOT. The longitudinal velocity is of the order of 25 m . s(-1), with a transverse velocity spread <= 1 m . s(-1), while the typical atomic flux density obtained is up to 1.3 x 10(14) at . s(-1) . m(-2) for a cesium vapour pressure of similar to 4 x 10(-8) mbar in the source. We use this slow atom beam, instead of cesium vapour, to load a 3D moving optical molasses that feeds a continuous cold atom fountain. We obtain a gain of a factor similar to 20 in the atomic flux launched by the fountain.
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机译：我们描述了基于二维磁光阱（MOT）的慢原子源的设计和性能，该二维磁光阱使用创新的简单光学配置。金属镀膜的逆反射棱镜代替了镜子和四分之一波片，因此冷却激光束的光能得以回收。此源的特征在于三种不同的配置：具有和没有横向磁场梯度，以及带有推力波束以获得2D（+）-MOT的特征。纵向速度约为25 m。 s（-1），横向速度扩展<= 1 m。 s（-1），而获得的典型原子通量密度在时高达1.3 x 10（14）。 s（-1）。源中的铯蒸气压类似于4 x 10（-8）mbar时为m（-2）。我们使用这种慢原子束代替铯蒸气来加载3D移动的光学糖蜜，该糖蜜为连续的冷原子喷泉供料。我们从喷泉发射的原子通量中获得的增益类似于20。
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