Trapping Metastable Krypton Atoms for Radio-Isotope Dating

We have developed a MOT of metastable krypton atoms achieving a loading rate of 10$^{\mathrm{12}}$ s$^{\mathrm{-1}}$ for the abundant isotope $^{\mathrm{84}}$Kr. At the same time, the trap is capable of single atom detection of the rare isotopes $^{\mathrm{81}}$Kr and $^{\mathrm{85}}$Kr used for radio-isotope dating. Metastable atom production via gas discharge remains a major limit to trapping efficiency. We are exploring direct optical excitation methods to overcome this limit. This technique uses a krypton lamp to produce resonant 124 nm light and an 819 nm laser to drive the krypton from the ground state to the metastable level. These advancements would lead to a next generation ATTA instrument for $^{\mathrm{81}}$Kr dating. Improved efficiency would open up new opportunities such as dating deep ice core samples.