A quantum particle in a combined trap

David E. Pritchard

A configuration of magnetic fields is exhibited which can harmonically trap paramagnetic particles in a shallow field minimum, superposed on a nearly uniform field which simplifies spectroscopic interactions with the particles. The potential energy of a trapped neutral particle depends on the particle's internal quantum number, as well as its position in the trap, permitting a combined rf-laser optical pumping cycle which can cool particles by a factor of 2 per cycle. Application of these ideas to the trapping of Na atoms is discussed.

Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny, William Moebs

A.C. Davis, Maximilliaan Koopman, Qing Wang +4 more

Masaaki Ashida, Shota Sasaki, Jun Naoi +5 more

Magnetic trapping and optical manipulation of micro-particles are combined in superfluid helium. Irradiation of pulsed light to a magnetically trapped superconducting particle causes simple damped oscillation of the particle. The analysis of the trajectory gives rise to the estimation of viscosity of the superfluid helium along with some properties of the trapped particle.

J. Walz, S. B. Ross, Claus Zimmermann +3 more

We present the first experimental demonstration of simultaneous trapping of electrons and ions in the same spatial region. Confinement of particles with opposite charges and very different mass in the combined trap represents an important step towards the synthesis of antihydrogen.

Gerald E. Marsh