Microelectromagnets for Trapping and Manipulating Ultracold Atomic Quantum Gases

TL;DR

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of microelectromagnets capable of trapping and manipulating ultracold atomic gases, enabling flexible control of Bose-Einstein condensates.

Contribution

It introduces a new microfabrication approach for creating microelectromagnets with high current densities and versatile magnetic field configurations for ultracold atom experiments.

Findings

Achieved maximum current densities of 6.5×10^6 A/cm^2 in continuous operation.

Successfully operated microelectromagnets at ultra-high vacuum of 10^-11 mbar.

Demonstrated flexible magnetic field configurations for Bose-Einstein condensate control.

Abstract

We describe the production and characterization of microelectromagnets made for trapping and manipulating atomic ensembles. The devices consist of 7 fabricated parallel copper conductors 3 micrometer thick, 25mm long, with widths ranging from 3 to 30 micrometer, and are produced by electroplating a sapphire substrate. Maximum current densities in the wires up to 6.5 * 10^6 A / cm^2 are achieved in continuous mode operation. The device operates successfully at a base pressure of 10^-11 mbar. The microstructures permit the realization of a variety of magnetic field configurations, and hence provide enormous flexibility for controlling the motion and the shape of Bose-Einstein condensates.