Light induced atomic desorption of strontium atoms

Light induced atomic desorption (LIAD) has been proved useful as a source of atoms at relatively low temperature (room temperature) and has been used in various applications, such as magneto-optical trapping and Bose-Einstein condensation in microelectronic chips. We report on our exploration of using LIAD to produce strontium atoms for cold atom experiments. We have tested the following two LIAD methods. First, we coat various substrates including sapphire and borosilicate glass with strontium atoms using atomic dispensers. We then use LIAD to liberate atoms from the coated surface. And second, we put strontium oxide powder inside a glass cell under vacuum and directly focus the laser light into the sample to liberate atoms. We report on the properties of the liberated atoms and comment on the feasibility of LIAD as an atomic source for cold atom experiments.