Dynamics of atoms in a time-orbiting-potential trap: consequences of the classical description

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the classical dynamics of atoms in a magnetic trap to understand adiabatic approximation failures, finding that non-adiabatic effects are negligible and quantum models are necessary for accurate explanations.

Contribution

It provides a detailed classical analysis of atom motion in a magnetic trap, highlighting the minimal impact of non-adiabatic effects and emphasizing the need for quantum descriptions.

Findings

Non-adiabatic effects are extremely small in classical models.

Reversing the bias field affects the atomic orbit's vertical position.

Quantum models are required to fully explain experimental results.

Abstract

The classical model that describes the motion of an atom in a magnetic trap is solved in order to investigate the relationship between the failure of the usual adiabatic approximation assumption and the physical parameters of the trap. This allows to evaluate the effect that reversing of the bias field rotation produces on the vertical position of the atomic orbit, a displacement that is closely related to the adiabatic character of the trap motion. The present investigation has been motivated by a similar experimental test previously carried out in the actual magnetic time orbiting potential trap. We find that the non-adiabatic effects provided by the classical model are extremely small. Thus, we conclude that the theoretical explanation of the experimental measures, requires a quantum description of the dynamics in magnetic traps.