Setup of a magneto-optical trap of cold 87Rb atoms in proximity to an hollow core photonic crystal fiber

In this thesis work the results of optimization and characterization of a magneto-optical trap (MOT) setup for rubidium 87 atoms are reported. The apparatus is aimed to provide a source of cold (about 100 μK) atoms in the proximity of the tip of an hollow core photonic crystal fiber. The final goal is loading the cold atomic cloud into the fiber to study the peculiar properties of this combined system. In particular, the thesis focuses on the achievements obtained in frequency and polarization stability of MOT beams, to determine the most critical aspects of the apparatus that could hinder the reproducible realization of the MOT, in terms of temperature and number of trapped atoms. The final results show that the setup is able to provide sub-MHz frequency stability of the MOT beams, while still lacking of good polarization stability. Indeed, relative fluctuations in number and temperature of trapped atoms, due to the measured polarization instability, are expected to be up to 50% and 70%, respectively. This is thus the critical aspect of the setup which needs improvements to achieve good reproducibility. Based on this analysis, possible solutions to mitigate these effects are proposed for next developments in the experimental apparatus.