We describe an atom trap for Bose-Einstein condensates of
87Rb to be used in atom interferometry experiments. The trap is based on a time-orbiting potential waveguide. It supports the atoms against gravity while providing weak confinement to minimize interaction effects. We observe harmonic oscillation frequencies $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{x},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{y},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{z})$ as low as $2\ensuremath{\pi}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(6.0,1.2,3.3)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. Up to $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ condensate atoms have been loaded into the trap, at estimated temperatures as low as
850pK. We anticipate that interferometer measurement times of
1s or more should be achievable in this device.
This dissertation documents a second Bose-Einstein Condensate production apparatus at the University of Virginia. The apparatus produces condensates of 87 Rb atoms to be used as the wave source for atom interferometry experiments. Additionally, a new magnetic trap was developed which provides a harmonic potential with cylindrical symmetry and also supports the atoms against gravity. This trap is based on a time-orbiting potential. To characterize the trapping potential, a condensate was loaded into the trap and perturbed by suddenly changing the confinement field during loading. This had the effect of inducing harmonic oscillations which were measured at varying trap parameters. We expect that this trap will be useful for the implementation of a compact atom interferometer-based gyroscope. Finally, an asymmetric Bragg splitting pulse was developed which allowed for the implementation of two simple interferometers. These interferometers developed a phase which depended on the recoil frequency of 87 Rb and served as a proof of principle for this new apparatus.
In atomic dynamics, oscillation along different axes can be studied separately in the harmonic trap. When the trap is not harmonic, motion in different directions may couple together. In this work, we observe a two-dimensional oscillation by exciting atoms in one direction, where the atoms are transferred to an anharmonic region. Theoretical calculations are coincident to the experimental results. These oscillations in two dimensions not only can be used to measure trap parameters but also have potential applications in atomic interferometry and precise measurements.