Abstract
We design magnetic traps for atoms based on the average magnetic field of vortices induced in a type-II superconducting thin film. This magnetic field is the critical ingredient of the demonstrated vortex-based atom traps, which operate without transport current. We use Bean’s critical-state method to model the vortex field through mesoscopic supercurrents induced in the thin strip. The resulting inhomogeneous magnetic fields are studied in detail and compared to those generated by multiple normally conducting wires with transport currents. Various vortex patterns can be obtained by programing different loading-field and transport-current sequences. These variable magnetic fields are employed to make versatile trapping potentials.
7 More- Received 24 March 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.81.063408
©2010 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Microtraps for ultracold atoms
Published 6 July 2010
Superconductors could be useful for trapping ultracold atoms in microstructures to make miniature atomic clocks.
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