Design of Magneto-Optical Traps for Additive Manufacture by 3D Printing

TL;DR

This paper explores the design and simulation of 3D printed magneto-optical traps (MOTs) that are smaller, more efficient, and easier to produce, advancing quantum technology applications.

Contribution

It introduces novel 3D printed MOT designs and analyzes their magnetic field performance and thermal characteristics through simulations.

Findings

Magnetic field gradients around 15 G/cm achievable

Joule heating as low as 0.2 W predicted

Designs enable reduced size and power consumption

Abstract

A key element in the study of cold atoms, and their use in emerging quantum technologies, is trapping the atoms in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber. Many methods have been used to trap atoms including atom chips and magneto-optical traps (MOTs). However, the bulky apparatus, and current-carrying coils, used so far in most MOTs restrict the reduction of power and physical size, as required for quantum technology applications. The advent of 3D printing technology now offers a new route to making MOTs with current paths that can be freely shaped and shrunk to several centimetres, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption and simplify the production of the MOT itself. In this paper, we present designs for 3D printed MOTs and analyse their performance by using COMSOL simulations. We predict that the 3D-printed conductors can create magnetic fields with gradients around 15 G/cm and passing through zero, as required for atom trapping, with Joule heating as low as 0.2 W.