  We show that micro-machined non-evaporable getter pumps (NEGs) can extend the
time over which laser cooled atoms canbe produced in a magneto-optical trap
(MOT), in the absence of other vacuum pumping mechanisms. In a first study,
weincorporate a silicon-glass microfabricated ultra-high vacuum (UHV) cell with
silicon etched NEG cavities and alumino-silicateglass (ASG) windows and
demonstrate the observation of a repeatedly-loading MOT over a 10 minute period
with a single laser-activated NEG. In a second study, the capacity of passive
pumping with laser activated NEG materials is further investigated ina
borosilicate glass-blown cuvette cell containing five NEG tablets. In this
cell, the MOT remained visible for over 4 days withoutany external active
pumping system. This MOT observation time exceeds the one obtained in the
no-NEG scenario by almostfive orders of magnitude. The cell scalability and
potential vacuum longevity made possible with NEG materials may enable inthe
future the development of miniaturized cold-atom instruments.
