Experiments to Control Atom Number and Phase-Space Density in ...

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Figure 7.1: Design of the lithium vacuum chamber. A. Oven chamber, B. Differential
pumping tube and Zeeman slower, C. Spherical octagon, D. Pumping chamber
B
During the assembly of the vacuum chamber, the horizontal and vertical posi-
tion of the oven chamber with respect to the science chamber can be adjusted using
a support structure constructed of 80/20 T-slot framing. A small bellows on the oven
side of the differential pumping tube allows for angular adjustment, see chapter 7.1.2.
The alignment is checked carefully using a telescope. Once the complete vacuum cham-
ber is assembled and the support structure locked down, no further adjustment to the
alignment of the atomic beam is possible.
7.1.1 Oven Chamber
The front end of the vacuum chamber houses the lithium reservoir (oven) and an
atomic beam shutter allows for blocking of the effusive beam of the atoms. The rest of
the oven chamber allows for attachment of an ion pump, titanium sublimation pump,
an ion gauge and an angle valve required for the initial pump-out. The design of the
oven chamber is shown in figure 7.2.
The design of the lithium reservoir is shown in figure 7.3. The outer diameter of
the oven is 1.5 in. The oven can easily be heated to temperatures of 350 ◦ C and above
using a band heater. Several layers of fiber glass and aluminum foil serve as insulation.
In order to limit the heat flow from the lithium reservoir to the rest of the vacuum
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