Low-Cost Magneto-Optical Traps for Rubidium Optical Lattices

Magneto-optical traps (MOTs) are essential instruments in atomic physics, enabling laser cooling and trapping of neutral atoms for studies in quantum optics and precision measurement. The high cost of commercial MOT systems, typically in the order of tens of thousands, can limit access for smaller groups. We present a modular, low-cost MOT for laser cooling of rubidium atoms with a total build cost of approximately $5,000. The design expands upon other systems by improving modularity, and reproducibility through open-source documentation and easy to build components. Our system incorporates a 3D-printable kinematic optics system customizable to circular and rectangular optics of sizes through a parameterized CAD file. Additionally, we present a custom control electronics for a 780 nm extended-cavity diode laser that simplifies assembly and performs temperature and servo locked control of laser frequency. The completed trap demonstrates stable laser cooling comparable to conventional designs. Rather than replacing commercial systems, this work provides alternative, research-useable components that broaden access to cold-atom experimentation. We plan to expand this setup to demonstrate the implementation of optical lattice as well in the future.