Abstract

An atom chip is designed to manipulate magnetically trapped ultracold atoms and Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) near a surface using microfabricated patterns of current-carrying wires or permanent magnetic materials [1]. Permanent magnet atom chips in particular allow for very tight trapping potentials due to the large magnetic field gradients possible and are ideal for complex magnetic field geometries that are difficult to realise using current-carrying wires alone. Additionally, permanent magnets do not require ohmic power dissipation and lack technical current noise making them very attractive for applications with Bose-Einstein condensates.

© 2007 IEEE