We describe the design and performance of a slow atom
source based on a 2D magneto-optical trap (MOT) that uses an
innovative simple optical configuration. Metal-coated
retro-reflecting prisms replace mirrors and quarter-wave plates so
the optical power of the cooling laser beam is recycled. This
source has been characterised for three different configurations:
with and without transverse magnetic field gradient, and with a
pusher beam to obtain a 2D+-MOT. The longitudinal velocity is
of the order of 25 m·s−1, with a transverse velocity
spread ≤1 m·s−1, while the typical atomic flux
density obtained is up to
1.3×1014 at ·s−1·m−2 for a cesium
vapour pressure of ~4×10−8 mbar in the source. We
use this slow atom beam, instead of cesium vapour, to load a 3D
moving optical molasses that feeds a continuous cold atom
fountain. We obtain a gain of a factor ~20 in the atomic
flux launched by the fountain.