Atom trapping and two-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates in field-induced adiabatic potentials

Abstract

We discuss a method to create two-dimensional (2D) traps as well as atomic shell, or bubble, states for a Bose-Einstein condensate initially prepared in a conventional magnetic trap. The scheme relies on the use of time-dependent, radio-frequency-induced adiabatic potentials. These are shown to form a versatile and robust tool to generate interesting trapping potentials. Our shell states take the form of thin, highly stable matter-wave bubbles and can serve as stepping stones to prepare atoms in highly excited trap eigenstates or to study ``collapse and revival phenomena.'' Their creation requires gravitational effects to be compensated by applying additional optical dipole potentials. However, in our scheme gravitation can also be exploited to provide a route to two-dimensional atom trapping. We demonstrate the loading process for such a trap and examine experimental conditions under which a 2D condensate may be prepared.