Steep magnetic trap for ultra cold atoms

Abstract
A combination of current coils and ferromagnetic pole shoes is used to construct a magnetic quadrupole trap for ultra cold neutral atoms. Field gradients of up to 3000 G/cm have been achieved continuously with an electric power consumption of only 10 watts. A maximum field gradient of 1 T/cm is calculated for a current that can be applied for several seconds. The trap has been loaded with 8 × 106 lithium atoms (7Li) from a magneto-optical trap and the energy distribution determined by stepwise reduction of the trapping potential. Finally, magnetic trapping of fermionic 6Li has been demonstrated.

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