Fast and high-yield loading of a D2 magneto-optical trap of potassium from a cryogenic buffer-gas beam

We demonstrate the direct loading of a D2 magneto-optical trap (MOT) of potassium-39 atoms from a cryogenic buffer gas beam source. We load 108 atoms in a 10 ms pulse, with no degradation in performance up to a 10 Hz repetition rate. Observed densities reach ≈1011 atoms/cm3 in a single pulse, achieved with a modest Zeeman slower but no sub-Doppler cooling or transverse compression. This system produces an ideal starting point for ultracold atom experiments where high experimental repetition rates are desirable and initial high densities are critical. Extension to other atomic species (e.g., refractory metals) that present technical challenges to high-yield production using oven-based sources is straightforward.