Programmable trap geometries with superconducting atom chips

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method to create programmable magnetic traps for ultra-cold atoms using the hysteretic properties of superconducting thin films, enabling flexible and reconfigurable atom-optics setups.

Contribution

It demonstrates the use of superconducting remanent states to programmatically generate various trap geometries on a single chip, advancing ultra-cold atom manipulation.

Findings

Successfully realized three trap types on one micro-structure

Demonstrated programmability of trap geometries via external magnetic fields

Showed potential for versatile applications in ultra-cold quantum gases

Abstract

We employ the hysteretic behavior of a superconducting thin film in the remanent state to generate different traps and flexible magnetic potentials for ultra-cold atoms. The trap geometry can be programmed by externally applied fields. This new approach for atom-optics is demonstrated by three different trap types realized on a single micro-structure: a Z-type trap, a double trap and a bias field free trap. Our studies show that superconductors in the remanent state provide a new versatile platform for atom-optics and applications in ultra-cold quantum gases.