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Abstract

We present the first simultaneous trapping of two different ultracold atomic species in a conservative trap. Lithium and cesium atoms are stored in an optical dipole trap formed by the focus of a CO2 laser. Techniques for loading both species of atoms are discussed and observations of elastic and inelastic collisions between the two species are presented. A model for sympathetic cooling of two species with strongly different mass in the presence of slow evaporation is developed. From the observed Cs-induced evaporation of Li atoms we estimate a cross-section for cold elastic Li-Cs collisions.

PACS: 32.80.Pj; 51.10.+y; 34.20.-b; 33.80.Ps

Received: 1 August 2001 / Published online: 23 November 2001

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