Production of large Bose-Einstein condensates in a magnetic-shield-compatible hybrid trap

We describe the production of large 23Na Bose-Einstein condensates in a hybrid trap characterized by a weak magnetic field quadrupole and a tightly focused infrared beam. The use of small magnetic field gradients makes the trap compatible with the state-of-the-art magnetic shields. By taking advantage of the deep cooling and high efficiency of gray molasses to improve the initial trap loading conditions, we produce condensates composed of as many as 7 million atoms in less than 30 s.