Integrated magneto-optic Micro traps in atom chips
With collaborators in the University of Strathclyde, the National Physical Laboratory and the University of Glasgow we have developed a new kind of atom chip which uses diffraction gratings patterned into its surface to steer light around and create the right orientation of beams for a magneto-optical trap and optical molasses.
Laser-cooled atoms are central to modern precision measurements. Although significant progress has been made in miniaturising atomic metrological devices, these are limited in accuracy by their use of hot atomic ensembles and buffer gases. Advances have also been made in producing portable apparatus that benefits from the advantages of atoms in the microkelvin regime. However, simplifying atomic cooling and loading using microfabrication technology has proved difficult -- take a look at our micro-pyramid experiments for example.
For more details contact Joseph Cotter (j.cotter [at] imperial [dot] ac.uk).
Some Relevant Publications
A surface-patterned chip as a strong source of ultracold atoms for quantum technologies
C. C. Nshii,M. Vangeleyn J. P. Cotter, P. F. Griffin, E. A. Hinds, C. N. Ironside, P. See, A. G. Sinclair, E. Riis and A. S. Arnold, Nature nanotechnology, (2013)