A robust and modular cesium magneto-optical trap using divergent laser beams

Magneto-optical traps (MOTs) are a workhorse technology for neutral-atom quantum sensing, simulation, and computing. Here, we demonstrate a MOT optimized for inertial quantum sensing and precision metrology applications. Our MOT traps 4 times10 8 cesium (Cs) atoms in a robust, modular system that achieves stable operation through two design features: (1) we use divergent cooling laser beams to reduce unwanted reflections and (2) optical elements are mounted in a fiber-coupled, compact, and modular cage rigidly attached to the vacuum chamber. Following polarization-gradient cooling (PGC), the system produces atom samples with temperatures below 10 μ K, similar to those achieved in conventional MOTs that use collimated laser beams. In addition, we observe trapping of 2 times10 7 Cs atoms in a non-conventional MOT geometry, where the cooling laser beams are diagonal to the principal axis of the quadrupole magnetic field.