Dynamics of cold atoms above a curved magnetic mirror
Abstract
We have studied the dynamics of cold Rb atoms in a trap formed by gravity and a 2cm diameter spherical mirror made from a sinusoidally magnetized floppy disk. Multiple bounces have been observed for times up to 1s. Analysis of the data taken at 4 different heights up to 40.5mm leads us to conclude that the atoms are reflected specularly with reflectivity 1.01. The mirror has slight roughness arising from harmonics in the magnetization of the surface and from discontinuities at the boundaries between recorded tracks. This roughness has a noticeable effect on the atom dynamics. Collisions with the background gas are the main loss mechanism from this trap. We will discuss attempts to increase the trap lifetime by sealing the mirror surface.
- Publication:
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APS April Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- April 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997APS..APR.I1803H