Pursuing the coldest matter in the universe: quantum degenerate gases

We report on details on an apparatus for studies of ultracold atomic systems and quantum degenerate gases. Specifically, will we discuss laser cooling and trapping techniques to obtain ultracold (T < 1 mK) atomic samples and all-optical trapping and evaporative cooling to reach quantum degeneracy (T ~ 100 nK). We will also discuss detection and characterization of cold atom clouds through absorption imaging and present our recent progress towards studies of spinor systems.