Using a consistent quantum-mechanical treatment for the electromagnetic radiation, we theoretically investigate the magnetic spin-flip scatterings of a neutral two-level atom trapped in the vicinity of a superconducting body. We derive a simple scaling law for the corresponding spin-flip lifetime for such an atom trapped near a superconducting thick slab. For temperatures below the superconducting transition temperature T_c, the lifetime is found to be enhanced by several orders of magnitude in comparison to the case of a normal conducting slab. At zero temperature the spin-flip lifetime is given by the unbounded free-space value.Using a consistent quantum-mechanical treatment for the electromagnetic radiation, we theoretically investigate the magnetic spin-flip scatterings of a neutral two-level atom trapped in the vicinity of a superconducting body. We derive a simple scaling law for the corresponding spin-flip lifetime for such an atom trapped near a superconducting thick slab. For temperatures below the superconducting transition temperature T_c, the lifetime is found to be enhanced by several orders of magnitude in comparison to the case of a normal conducting slab. At zero temperature the spin-flip lifetime is given by the unbounded free-space value.

arXiv:quant-ph/0603229Mar 25, 20060 citations

Spin-flip lifetimes in superconducting atom chips: Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer versus Eliashberg theory

Ulrich Hohenester, Asier Eiguren, Stefan Scheel +1 more

We investigate theoretically the magnetic spin-flip transitions of neutral atoms trapped near a superconducting slab. Our calculations are based on a quantum-theoretical treatment of electromagnetic radiation near dielectric and metallic bodies. Specific results are given for rubidium atoms near a niobium superconductor. At the low frequencies typical of atomic transitions, we find that BCS theory greatly overestimates coherence effects, which are much less pronounced when quasiparticle lifetime effects are included through Eliashberg theory. At $4.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ , the typical atomic spin lifetime is found to be larger than $1000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$ , even for atom-superconductor distances of one $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}\mathrm{m}$. This constitutes a large enhancement in comparison with normal metals.We investigate theoretically the magnetic spin-flip transitions of neutral atoms trapped near a superconducting slab. Our calculations are based on a quantum-theoretical treatment of electromagnetic radiation near dielectric and metallic bodies. Specific results are given for rubidium atoms near a niobium superconductor. At the low frequencies typical of atomic transitions, we find that BCS theory greatly overestimates coherence effects, which are much less pronounced when quasiparticle lifetime effects are included through Eliashberg theory. At $4.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, the typical atomic spin lifetime is found to be larger than $1000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$, even for atom-superconductor distances of one $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}\mathrm{m}$. This constitutes a large enhancement in comparison with normal metals.

arXiv:0707.0238Physical Review ASep 21, 200751 citations

Decay processes in the presence of thin superconducting films

Per Kristian Rekdal, Bo-Sture Skagerstam

In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 070401 (2006)] the transition rate of magnetic spin-flip of a neutral two-level atom trapped in the vicinity of a thick superconducting body was studied. In the present paper we will extend these considerations to a situation with an atom at various distances from a dielectric film. Rates for the corresponding electric dipole-flip transition will also be considered. The rates for these atomic flip transitions can be reduced or enhanced, and in some situations they can even be completely suppressed. For a superconducting film or a thin film of a perfect conducting material various analytical expressions are derived that reveals the dependence of the physical parameters at hand.In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 070401 (2006)] the transition rate of magnetic spin-flip of a neutral two-level atom trapped in the vicinity of a thick superconducting body was studied. In the present paper we will extend these considerations to a situation with an atom at various distances from a dielectric film. Rates for the corresponding electric dipole-flip transition will also be considered. The rates for these atomic flip transitions can be reduced or enhanced, and in some situations they can even be completely suppressed. For a superconducting film or a thin film of a perfect conducting material various analytical expressions are derived that reveals the dependence of the physical parameters at hand.

arXiv:quant-ph/0609158Physical Review AFeb 27, 20076 citations

Photon emission near superconducting bodies

Bo-Sture Skagerstam, Per Kristian Rekdal

We study the photon emission due to a magnetic spin-flip transition of a two-level atom in the vicinity of a dielectric body such as a normal conducting metal or a superconductor. For temperatures below the transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ of a superconductor, the corresponding spin-flip lifetime is boosted by several orders of magnitude as compared to the case of a normal conducting body. Numerical results of an exact formulation are also compared to a previously derived approximative analytical expression for the spin-flip lifetime, and we find excellent agreement. We present results on how the spin-flip lifetime depends on the temperature $T$ of a superconducting body as well as its thickness $H$ . Finally, we study how nonmagnetic impurities as well as possible Eliashberg strong-coupling effects influence the spin-flip rate. It is found that nonmagnetic impurities as well as strong-coupling effects have no dramatic impact on the spin-flip lifetime.We study the photon emission due to a magnetic spin-flip transition of a two-level atom in the vicinity of a dielectric body such as a normal conducting metal or a superconductor. For temperatures below the transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ of a superconductor, the corresponding spin-flip lifetime is boosted by several orders of magnitude as compared to the case of a normal conducting body. Numerical results of an exact formulation are also compared to a previously derived approximative analytical expression for the spin-flip lifetime, and we find excellent agreement. We present results on how the spin-flip lifetime depends on the temperature $T$ of a superconducting body as well as its thickness $H$. Finally, we study how nonmagnetic impurities as well as possible Eliashberg strong-coupling effects influence the spin-flip rate. It is found that nonmagnetic impurities as well as strong-coupling effects have no dramatic impact on the spin-flip lifetime.

arXiv:0706.1056Physical Review ANov 6, 200715 citations

Atomic spin decoherence near conducting and superconducting films

Stefan Scheel, Per Kristian Rekdal, P. L. Knight +1 more

We derive scaling laws for the spin decoherence of neutral atoms trapped near conducting and superconducting plane surfaces. A result for thin films sheds light on the measurement of Y. J. Lin, I. Teper, C. Chin, and V. Vuleti\ifmmode \acute{c}\else \'{c}\fi{} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 050404 (2004)]. Our calculation is based on a quantum-theoretical treatment of electromagnetic radiation near metallic bodies [P. K. Rekdal, S. Scheel, P. L. Knight, and E. A. Hinds, Phys. Rev. A 70, 013811 (2004)]. We show that there is a critical atom-surface distance that maximizes the spin relaxation rate and we show how this depends on the skin depth and thickness of the metal surface. In the light of this impedance-matching effect we discuss the spin relaxation to be expected above a thin superconducting niobium layer.We derive scaling laws for the spin decoherence of neutral atoms trapped near conducting and superconducting plane surfaces. A result for thin films sheds light on the measurement of Y. J. Lin, I. Teper, C. Chin, and V. Vuleti\ifmmode \acute{c}\else \'{c}\fi{} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 050404 (2004)]. Our calculation is based on a quantum-theoretical treatment of electromagnetic radiation near metallic bodies [P. K. Rekdal, S. Scheel, P. L. Knight, and E. A. Hinds, Phys. Rev. A 70, 013811 (2004)]. We show that there is a critical atom-surface distance that maximizes the spin relaxation rate and we show how this depends on the skin depth and thickness of the metal surface. In the light of this impedance-matching effect we discuss the spin relaxation to be expected above a thin superconducting niobium layer.

arXiv:quant-ph/0501149Physical Review AOct 11, 200571 citations

Effect of vortices on the spin-flip lifetime of atoms in superconducting atom-chips

Gilles Nogues, Cédric Roux, Thomas Nirrengarten +7 more

We study theoretically the lifetime of magnetically trapped atoms in the close vicinity of a type-II superconducting surface, in the context of superconducting atom-chips. We account for the magnetic noise created at the cloud position by the vortices present in the superconductor and give specific results for our experiment which uses a niobium film. Our main result is that atom losses are dominated by the presence of vortices. They remain however dramatically smaller than in equivalent room-temperature atom-chip setups using normal metals.We study theoretically the lifetime of magnetically trapped atoms in the close vicinity of a type-II superconducting surface, in the context of superconducting atom-chips. We account for the magnetic noise created at the cloud position by the vortices present in the superconductor and give specific results for our experiment which uses a niobium film. Our main result is that atom losses are dominated by the presence of vortices. They remain however dramatically smaller than in equivalent room-temperature atom-chip setups using normal metals.

arXiv:0907.3598Europhysics Letters (EPL)Jul 1, 200929 citations

4.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}

, the typical atomic spin lifetime is found to be larger than

1000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}

, even for atom-superconductor distances of one $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}\mathrm{m}$. This constitutes a large enhancement in comparison with normal metals.

{T}_{c}

of a superconductor, the corresponding spin-flip lifetime is boosted by several orders of magnitude as compared to the case of a normal conducting body. Numerical results of an exact formulation are also compared to a previously derived approximative analytical expression for the spin-flip lifetime, and we find excellent agreement. We present results on how the spin-flip lifetime depends on the temperature

T

of a superconducting body as well as its thickness

H

. Finally, we study how nonmagnetic impurities as well as possible Eliashberg strong-coupling effects influence the spin-flip rate. It is found that nonmagnetic impurities as well as strong-coupling effects have no dramatic impact on the spin-flip lifetime.