Piezoelectrically actuated time-averaged atomic microtraps

Abstract

We present a scheme for creating tight and adiabatic time-averaged atom-traps through the piezoelectric actuation of nanomagnetic structures. We show that potentials formed by the circular translation of magnetic structures have several advantages over conventional rotating-field techniques, particularly for high trap frequencies. As the magnitude of the actuation is changed the trapping potential can be changed adiabatically between harmonic 3D confinement and a toroidal trap.

Fifteen years of cold matter on the atom chip: promise, realizations, and prospects

“…Designs of ring traps for atoms were suggested [ 322 , 330 – 332 ] as loops for Sagnac interferometry as well as structures for studying superfluidity in confined geometries. Inductive dressed ring traps have also been suggested [ 333 , 334 ], as well as rings based on moving actuators [ 335 ]. Ring traps have been loaded [ 336 , 337 ], but not on an atom chip.…”

“…traps have also been suggested [333,334], as well as rings based on moving actuators [335]. Ring traps have been loaded [336,337], but not on an atom chip.…”

Demonstration of an inductively coupled ring trap for cold atoms

“…For studies of persistent flow in quantum fluids small traps with r ∼ 20 µm are required which are possible using combined magnetic and optical or all optical traps [3,[27][28][29]. A novel technique to create time-averaged toroidal potentials using mechanical oscillation of a magnetic nanowire has recently been proposed [30].…”

Inductively guided circuits for ultracold dressed atoms

“…We find various advantages of this approach over optical schemes and dressing of Zeeman split levels (that is, coupling states within the same hyperfine manifold) 20 22 . For example, the present proposal does not require sophisticated optical control and it is free from potential symmetry breaking current carrying wires in the vicinity of the trapping volume 19 23 24 25 26 . In addition, our system can be designed to create multiply connected atomic circuits, for example, arrays of connected ring traps, having in mind applications that benefit from matter-wave interferometry as in ref.…”

“…This trapping scheme is ideal for atomic coherent manipulation due to the negligible spontaneous emission associated with hyperfine levels of the atomic ground state [20]. In addition, this proposal does not require sophisticated optical control and it is free from potential symmetry breaking current carrying wires in the vicinity of the trapping volume [16,[21][22][23][24]. In addition, the system can be designed to create multiply connected atomic circuits, e.g.…”