Foil-based atom chip for Bose-Einstein condensates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new foil-based atom chip fabrication method that enables larger currents and complex trapping potentials, successfully producing Bose-Einstein condensates with unique fragmentation properties.

Contribution

A novel foil-based atom chip fabrication technique using simple micro-cutting, allowing larger currents and complex traps without photolithography.

Findings

Successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate of 4×10^4 Rb atoms.

Observed atom cloud fragmentation near silver conductors with distinct features.

Demonstrated compatibility with complex magnetic trapping potentials.

Abstract

We describe a novel method of fabricating atom chips that are well suited to the production and manipulation of atomic Bose-Einstein condensates. Our chip was created using a silver foil and simple micro-cutting techniques without the need for photolithography. It can sustain larger currents than conventional chips, and is compatible with the patterning of complex trapping potentials. A near pure Bose-Einstein condensate of 4 $\times$ 10$^4$ $^{87}$Rb atoms has been created in a magnetic microtrap formed by currents through wires on the chip. We have observed the fragmentation of atom clouds in close proximity to the silver conductors. The fragmentation has different characteristic features to those seen with copper conductors.