Progress Towards a Magneto-Optical Trap of Titanium

We report on experimental progress towards a magneto-optical trap of bosonic $^{48}$Ti. Unlike previously laser-cooled atoms, Ti's ground state ([Ar]$4s^23d^2$ $a^3F_2$) supports strong anisotropic atom-light interactions with off-resonant light. The $a^3F_2$ state's magnetic moment is on par with an alkali atom ($\sim4/3\mu_B$), suppressing long-range dipolar interactions between Ti atoms and extending spin-mixture lifetimes compared to more magnetic atoms. The $a^3F_2$ state does not have a closed transition amenable to laser cooling. However, the metastable state ([Ar]$4s3d^3$ $a^5F_5$) does posses such a transition at 498 nm with a linewidth of 10.5 MHz ($T_D=250\mu K$). We report on the production of a beam of atomic Ti from an effusive oven, as well as the optical pumping of the atomic beam into the metastable $a^5F_5$ state. Progress towards magneto-optical trapping of Ti is presented, as well as future plans to achieve a quantum degenerate gas of Ti atoms.