We describe the design, construction and operation of a versatile dual-species Zeeman slower for both Cs and Yb, which is easily adaptable for use with other alkali metals and alkaline earths. With the aid of analytic models and numerical simulation of decelerator action, we highlight several real-world problems affecting the performance of a slower and discuss effective solutions. To capture Yb into a magneto-optical trap (MOT), we use the broad $^1S_0$ to $^1P_1$ transition at 399 nm for the slower and the narrow $^1S_0$ to $^3P_1$ intercombination line at 556 nm for the MOT. The Cs MOT and slower both use the D2 line ($6^2S_{1/2}$ to $6^2P_{3/2}$) at 852 nm. We demonstrate that within a few seconds the Zeeman slower loads more than $10^9$ Yb atoms and $10^8$ Cs atoms into their respective MOTs. These are ideal starting numbers for further experiments on ultracold mixtures and molecules.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures, 4 tables, revtex4-

. (2016) 'Production and characterisation of a dual species magneto-optical trap of cesium and ytterbium.', Review of scientic instruments., 87 (2). 023105.Further information on publisher's website: Use policyThe full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details.

Abstract. We report a robust technique for laser frequency stabilisation that enables the reproducible loading of in excess of 10 9 Yb atoms from a Zeeman slower directly into a magneto-optical trap (MOT) operating on the 1 S 0 → 3 P 1 transition, without the need for a first stage MOT on the 1 S 0 → 1 P 1 transition. We use a simple atomic beam apparatus to generate narrow fluorescence signals on both the 399 nm 1 S 0 → 1 P 1 transition used for the Zeeman slower and the 556 nm 1 S 0 → 3 P 1 transition. We present in detail the methods for obtaining spectra with a high signalto-noise ratio and demonstrate error signals suitable for robust frequency stabilisation. Finally we demonstrate the stability and precision of our technique through sensitive measurements of the gravitational sag of the Yb MOT as a function of the intensity of the laser cooling beams, which are in good agreement with theory. These results will be important for efficient loading of the atoms into an optical dipole trap.

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