We report on a dual species laser cooling apparatus capable of collecting over 10 8 87 Rb or 85 Rb atoms from an atomic vapor or up to (8 ± 2) × 10 7 6 Li atoms directly into a magneto-optic trap (MOT) from an effusive oven without the need for a Zeeman slower. The use of a miniature atomic oven placed close to the trapping region yields a compact vacuum system while still producing adequate lithium ensembles and a high quality vacuum in the 10 −10 Torr range. The atomic sources, laser system, and vacuum system are described. In addition, we use this system to study atom loss from the MOT due to interspecies collisions between 6 Li and 85 Rb or 87 Rb. We report for the first time the heteronuclear loss coefficients for 6 Li-85 Rb mixtures.

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There is a growing need for the production of radioisotopes for both diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications. Radioisotopes that are produced using the (n,γ) or (γ,n) reactions, however, typically result in samples with low specific activity (radioactivity∕gram) due to the high abundance of target material of the same element. One method to effectively remove the isotopic impurity is electro-magnetic mass separation. An Ion Source Test Facility has been constructed at TRIUMF to develop high-intensity, high-efficiency, reliable ion sources for purification of radioactive isotopes, particularly those used in nuclear medicine. In progress studies are presented.