New Apparatus for Quantum Simulation with ⁶Li

We present a new apparatus for creating and studying novel quantum phases of matter in optical lattices. Our scheme employs narrow linewidth cooling on the 2S-3P UV transition of ⁶Li in an optical trap [1]. Based on experience we expect a cycling time of 12 s to cool 10⁶ atoms to T = 0.05 T_F. We discuss our motivation for a Ti science chamber, which features large optical access with a numerical aperture of 0.7 along the vertical direction. Hence, we expect that this chamber facilitates precise shaping of the optical potential using spatial light modulators to remove the inhomogeneity. Such capabilities enable us to further explore the spin-imbalanced Fermi gas in the quasi-1D regime [2] and other phases of matter that are targets for quantum simulation with optical lattice potentials.