Constructing a Double MOT Apparatus for Studies of Bose Thermal Gases

We report on the construction of a double magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus for studies of Bose thermal gases and Bose-Einstein condensates. Our double MOT chamber consists of a 2D source MOT for collection of large atoms numbers and efficient transfer to 3D MOT in a ultrahigh vacuum science cell. We will discuss techniques for cooling and detection of ultracold samples, as well as future experiments for creating Bose thermal clouds and BECs in an optical dipole trap.