A magnetic lens for cold atoms controlled by a rf field

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel magnetic lens for cold atoms that uses a static magnetic field combined with a radio-frequency field to precisely control and tune the focusing properties of atomic clouds.

Contribution

It presents a new magnetic lens design that employs rf fields to dynamically adjust the focal length for cold atom manipulation.

Findings

Focal length can be tuned by changing rf frequency.

Rf field alters magnetic potential to control focusing.

Focal length varies with rf antenna position.

Abstract

We report on a new type of magnetic lens that focuses atomic clouds using a static inhomogeneous magnetic field in combination with a radio-frequency field. The experimental study is performed with a cloud of cold cesium atoms. The rf field adiabatically deforms the magnetic potential of a coil and therefore changes its focusing properties. The focal length can be tuned precisely by changing the rf frequency value. Depending on the rf antenna position relative to the DC magnetic profile, the focal length of the atomic lens can be either decreased or increased by the rf field.