Magnetic transport apparatus for the production of ultracold atomic gases in the vicinity of a dielectric surface

Journal Article · Sun Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3676161· OSTI ID:22066282

Haendel, S; Marchant, A L; Wiles, T P; Hopkins, S A; Cornish, S L ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE (United Kingdom)

We present an apparatus designed for studies of atom-surface interactions using quantum degenerate gases of {sup 85}Rb and {sup 87}Rb in the vicinity of a room temperature dielectric surface. The surface to be investigated is a super-polished face of a glass Dove prism mounted in a glass cell under ultra-high vacuum. To maintain excellent optical access to the region surrounding the surface, magnetic transport is used to deliver ultracold atoms from a separate vacuum chamber housing the magneto-optical trap (MOT). We present a detailed description of the vacuum apparatus highlighting the novel design features; a low profile MOT chamber and the inclusion of an obstacle in the transport path. We report the characterization and optimization of the magnetic transport around the obstacle, achieving transport efficiencies of 70% with negligible heating. Finally, we demonstrate the loading of a hybrid optical-magnetic trap with {sup 87}Rb and the creation of Bose-Einstein condensates via forced evaporative cooling close to the dielectric surface.

• OSTI ID: 22066282
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 83, Issue 1; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ATOMS
BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION
DESIGN
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
EFFICIENCY
EVAPORATIVE COOLING
GASES
GLASS
INTERACTIONS
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
OPTIMIZATION
PRISMS
RADIATION PRESSURE
RUBIDIUM 85
RUBIDIUM 87
SURFACES
TEMPERATURE RANGE 0273-0400 K