A lattice of microtraps for ultracold atoms based on patterned magnetic films

TL;DR

This paper reports the creation of a two-dimensional magnetic lattice of over 15,000 microtraps for ultracold atoms using patterned FePt films, enabling potential quantum information applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel magnetic lattice with a high density of microtraps fabricated from a single patterned FePt layer for ultracold atom confinement.

Findings

Over 15,000 microtraps created with high density

Successful loading of ultracold atoms into multiple lattice sites

Analytical models effectively describe the magnetic field and trap parameters

Abstract

We have realized a two dimensional permanent magnetic lattice of Ioffe-Pritchard microtraps for ultracold atoms. The lattice is formed by a single 300 nm magnetized layer of FePt, patterned using optical lithography. Our magnetic lattice consists of more than 15000 tightly confining microtraps with a density of 1250 traps/mm$^2$. Simple analytical approximations for the magnetic fields produced by the lattice are used to derive relevant trap parameters. We load ultracold atoms into at least 30 lattice sites at a distance of approximately 10 $\mu$m from the film surface. The present result is an important first step towards quantum information processing with neutral atoms in magnetic lattice potentials.