Progress toward a chipscale MOT

We report on progress toward forming a magneto-optical trap (MOT) in a passively-pumped, chipscale MEMS-fabricable package. This work is an essential step in integrating cold atoms into mass-producible, portable instruments\footnote{J Kitching, et al. \textbf{J. Phys: Conf. Ser.} 723, 1 (2016)}$^,$\footnote{JA Rushton, et al. \textbf{Rev. of Sci. Instr.} 85, 12 (2014)}. One major challenge is preserving ultra-high vacuum levels in anodically-bonded MEMS cells without the use of an active pump. Ultra-high vacuum levels are critical to forming a vapor-loaded MOT\footnote{T Arpornthip, et al. \textbf{PRA} 85, 033420 (2012)}$^,$\footnote{E Cornell, et al. In Collected Papers Of Carl Wieman, pp. 533-584, Sec. 2.8.4, (2008)} and attaining commercially-relevant cell lifetimes. Here, we report on experimentally-tested solutions to mitigating gas evolution in the 1-cc-volume MEMS cell during and after the fabrication process, as well as controlling rubidium-vapor content. We report on testing performed in our actively-pumped MEMS-cell MOT systems and outline remaining steps toward achieving a true chipscale MOT.