arXiv:1311.0250 · Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Design of a millimetre-scale magnetic surface trap for cold atoms

D Trypogeorgos, Stephen D. Albright, D Beesley, Christopher J. Foot

Published Mar 17, 2014• 3 citations

Abstract

We study a novel millimetre-scale magnetic trap for ultracold atoms, in which the current carrying conductors can be situated outside the vacuum region, a few mm away from the atoms. This design generates a magnetic field gradient in excess of \SI{1000}{G/cm} at a distance of \SI{2}{mm} from the conductors. We perform electromagnetic and thermo-mechanical characterisation using Finite Element Methods (FEM). The predicted behaviour has been verified by electrical and thermal measurements on a prototype, but has not been implemented on an apparatus with cold atoms. Operating this trap at the highest gradient allows for rapid evaporative cooling comparable to that achieved by atom chips.

DOI: 10.1088/0953-4075/47/7/075302

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