Time-orbiting potential trap for Bose-Einstein condensate interferometry

Abstract

We describe an atom trap for Bose-Einstein condensates of $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ to be used in atom interferometry experiments. The trap is based on a time-orbiting potential waveguide. It supports the atoms against gravity while providing weak confinement to minimize interaction effects. We observe harmonic oscillation frequencies $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{x},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{y},{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{z})$ as low as $2\ensuremath{\pi}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(6.0,1.2,3.3)\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{Hz}$. Up to $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ condensate atoms have been loaded into the trap, at estimated temperatures as low as $850\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{pK}$. We anticipate that interferometer measurement times of $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$ or more should be achievable in this device.