Accession Number:

ADA171559

Title:

Forces on Neutral Atoms Due to Electromagnetic Fields.

Descriptive Note:

Annual summary rept. 1 Sep 85-31 Aug 86,

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH CAMBRIDGE RESEARCH LAB OF ELECTRONICS

Personal Author(s):

• Pritchard,David E.

Report Date:

1986-09-04

Pagination or Media Count:

6.0

Abstract:

A superconducting neutral trap has been constructed and preliminary tests of it have begun. The tap consists of superconducting solenoids to permit slowing and axial confinement and a superconducting octopole magnet for radial confinement in the trap. The trap includes several smaller winding for manipulating trapped atoms. The trap itself is about 40 cm long and has a diameter of 7 cm. It is about 1 Kelvin deep. Na atoms from an atomic beam are to be slowed and then stopped in the center of the trap with counterpropagating laser beams. Initial testing of the magnets, cryogenic vacuum apparatus, and atom source has been completed. A program to optically trap atoms has been initiated. This is based on the recent discovery of exceptions to the optical Earnshaw theorem. Several possible traps using only spontaneous forces have been suggested and detailed modelling of these traps is underway. An apparatus to trap atoms based on these new ideas is being conducted.

Descriptors:

• *VACUUM APPARATUS
• *TRAPS
• *ATOMIC BEAMS
• MAGNETIC FIELDS
• SUPERCONDUCTORS
• ATOMS
• LASERS
• CRYOGENICS
• BORES

Subject Categories:

• Physical Chemistry
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Thermodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE