Towards Er-K quantum gas mixtures

We present our efforts towards developing a system that will trap and cool atomic mixtures of erbium and potassium. We highlight the first polarization spectroscopy measurements of erbium, which will be used to stabilize a 401nm laser beam, as well as progress towards laser cooling both species. The system will \quad be used to study few- and many body physics, including collisional studies of Er-K mixtures and quantum magnetism with dipolar atoms.