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arXiv:physics/9908031 · Physical Review Letters

Guiding Neutral Atoms Around Curves with Lithographically Patterned Current-Carrying Wires

Dirk Müller, Dana Z. Anderson, Randal J. Grow, Peter D. D. Schwindt, Eric Cornell

Published Dec 20, 1999• 210 citations

Abstract

Laser-cooled neutral atoms from a low-velocity atomic source are guided via a magnetic field generated between two parallel wires on a glass substrate. The atoms bend around three curves, each with a 15-cm radius of curvature, while traveling along a 10-cm-long track. A maximum flux of $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{atoms}/\mathrm{sec}$ is achieved with a current density of $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{A}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ in the $100\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}100$- $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$-cross-section wires. The kinetic energy of the guided atoms in one transverse dimension is measured to be $42\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.83.5194

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Laser-cooled neutral atoms from a low-velocity atomic source are guided via a magnetic field generated between two parallel wires on a glass substrate. The atoms bend around three curves, each with a 15-cm radius of curvature, while traveling along a 10-cm-long track. A maximum flux of

2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{atoms}/\mathrm{sec}

is achieved with a current density of

3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{A}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}

in the

100\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}100

-

\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}

-cross-section wires. The kinetic energy of the guided atoms in one transverse dimension is measured to be

42\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}

.

Summary form only given. Just as optical waveguides play a central role in many aspects of modern optics, from communications to integrated optics, atom waveguides are likely to be an enabling technology for future atom-optics-based science. In particular, well-characterized atom waveguides may make possible inertial and rotation measurements of exquisite sensitivity via large-enclosed-area atom interferometers. The first guides for atoms were based on optical forces, where hollow glass fibers guide light, and the light in turn guides atoms. In this paper we have guided neutral atoms using photolithographically patterned current-carrying wires in two different configurations.

A laser-cooled neutral-atom beam from a low-velocity intense source is split into two beams while it is guided by a magnetic-field potential. We generate our multimode beam-splitter potential with two current-carrying wires upon a glass substrate combined with an external transverse bias field. The atoms are guided around curves and a beam-splitter region within a 10-cm guide length. We achieve a maximum integrated flux of 1.5x10(5)atoms/s with a current density of 5x10(4)amp/cm (2) in the 100-microm -diameter wires. The initial beam can be split into two beams with a 50/50 splitting ratio.

We demonstrate the guiding of neutral atoms with two parallel microfabricated current-carrying wires on the atom chip and a vertical magnetic bias field. The atoms are guided along a magnetic field minimum parallel to the current-carrying wires and confined in the other two directions. We describe in detail how the precooled atoms are efficiently loaded into the two-wire guide. We present a detailed experimental study of the motional properties of the atoms in the guide and the relationship between the location of the guide and the vertical bias field. This two-wire guide with vertical bias field can be used to realize large area atom interferometer.