  We present an experimental setup to laser cool and trap a large number of
Ytterbium atoms. Our design uses an oven with an array of microtubes for
efficient collimation of the atomic beam and we implement a magneto-optical
trap of $^{174}$Yb on the $^1$S$_0$-$^1$P$_1$ transition at 399nm. Despite the
absence of a Zeeman slower, we are able to trap up to $N = 10^9$ atoms. We
precisely characterize our atomic beam, the loading rate of the magneto-optical
trap and several loss mechanisms relevant for trapping a large number of atoms.

Atomic Physics