ArXiv · 2026
We present a dual-region experimental apparatus for trapping single atoms of the fermionic isotope ytterbium-171 (¹⁷¹Yb) with optical tweezers in a science chamber containing an in-vacuum nanofiber cavity. A source region is located approximately 240 mm from the science chamber, preserving optical access around the chamber for high-numerical-aperture tweezer optics. A pulsed transport sequence based on longitudinal moving molasses launches atomic pulses toward the science chamber, where they are decelerated and recaptured in a magneto-optical trap. We subsequently load single atoms into a 2×2 tweezer array located approximately 50 μ m from the nanofiber and measure a 1/e lifetime of 9.5(7) s. These results demonstrate that the dual-region architecture provides sufficient ¹⁷¹Yb atoms for single-atom tweezer operation near an in-vacuum nanofiber cavity.
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