Magnetically trapped atoms in the vicinity of an optical nanofibre

Abstract

Magnetically trapped 87 Rb atoms have been observed near a single-mode optical nanofibre. Approximately 1 × 10 6 atoms were optically pumped to the �F = 2, m F = 2⟩ state and held in the trap with a trap lifetime of up to 2 s. The temperature of the atomic sample within the magnetic trap was measured to be below 230 μK. The compact vacuum system and hightemperature fibre feedthroughs are presented, and the feasibility of creating a quantum degenerate gas of ultracold neutral atoms near an optical nanofibre is discussed.