AC electric trapping of neutral atoms
Atomic Physics
2008-04-14 v2
Abstract
We study the dynamic behavior of ultracold neutral atoms in a macroscopic ac electric trap. Confinement in such a trap is achieved by switching between two saddle-point configurations of the electric field. The gradual formation of a stably trapped cloud is observed and the trap performance is studied versus the switching frequency and the symmetry of the switching cycle. Additionally, the electric field in the trap is mapped out by imaging the atom cloud while the fields are still on. Finally, the phase-space acceptance of the trap is probed by introducing a modified switching cycle. The experimental results are reproduced using full three-dimensional trajectory calculations.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0801.3362,
title = {AC electric trapping of neutral atoms},
author = {Sophie Schlunk and Adela Marian and Wieland Schoellkopf and Gerard Meijer},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0801.3362},
year = {2008}
}
Comments
10 pages, 13 figures, updated version, added journal reference