Magnetic transport of trapped cold atoms over a large distance

Abstract

We report the transport of magnetically trapped cold atoms over a large distance. Atoms are captured in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and loaded into a magnetic quadrupole trap. The quadrupole potential is then moved over a distance of 33 cm into an ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) chamber using a chain of quadrupole coils. By running suitable currents through the quadrupole coil pairs the trapping geometry of the potential is maintained during the transport process, thus minimizing heating of the trapped atom cloud. Magnetically trapped ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms at an initial temperature of $T=125 \ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ were heated by less than $20 \ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ during the transport process, and up to ${10}^{9}$ atoms were transferred into the UHV chamber. Due to the spatial separation of the final magnetic trap and the MOT we have been able to capture atoms in the MOT, while storing magnetically trapped atoms in the UHV chamber.