The study of cold collisions involving different species

In this work we present an overview in a sequence of experiments in heteronuclear cold collisions. As a first step in the process to understanding these processes we have studied trap losses due to crossed species interaction. Using a magneto-optical trap, which can trap any pair of the following atoms Na, K, Rb, and Cs, we have measured trap loss rate (β') for Na-K, Na-Rb, K-Rb, and Rb-Cs mixtures. Through the variation of β' with one species trap laser intensity one can understand the mechanisms which lead to losses. This is an important first step for any further experiment involving two different species.