Abstract
Dysprosium (Dy) is the most magnetic element on the periodic table, making it excellent for studying dipolar atom-atom interactions. We report on a simple Dy MOT that captures atoms directly from the thermal beam using a single diode-laser system to generate the light. Additionally, the atoms are magnetically confined by the quadrupole magnetic field that also facilitates the MOT. The MOT loading time is τb = 26 ms. Atoms can decay to a dark state that is magnetically trapped. The time constant for loading into this magnetic trap is τd = 410 ms. The total magnetically trapped population is 1.14×105 atoms, with 85% residing in the dark states. The magnetically trapped atoms have a temperature of 28µK, significantly below the Doppler limit. This population fulfills the requirements for a range of future experiments.