Simultaneous multi-isotope trapping of ytterbium

Working with ytterbium (Yb), we demonstrate dual-isotope magneto-optic traps of extreme experimental simplicity yet containing either fermion-boson or boson-boson isotope pairs. Pairs studied include ¹⁷¹Yb+¹⁷²Yb (a fermion-boson mixture) and ¹⁷⁶Yb+¹⁷⁴Yb and ¹⁷⁴Yb+¹⁷²Yb (boson-boson mixtures). Trapping is performed using the Yb (6s²)¹S₀- (6s6p)¹P₁ transition, an uncooled thermal source, and bichromatic trapping beams. Static and dynamic properties of the composite cloud are conveniently probed on the spin-forbidden (6s²)¹S₀- (6s6p)³P₁ transition. A unique strategy for continuously loading these samples into magnetic traps is described.