On-Chip Laboratory for Bose-Einstein Condensation

Our recent experimental work has been devoted to three different aspects of the physics of magnetic microtraps. Firstly, we have characterized an anomalous magnetic field component, which appears on the surface of a current carrying copper conductor. Thereby, clouds of ultracold thermal and condensed atoms were used as sensors for weak magnetic fields. Next, we investigated the dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates while they were moving within the microtrap. We identified a shape oscillation of the condensate, which is driven by the center of mass motion if moving in an anharmonic potential. Our latest development is a dual-layer microstructure with a multiplicity of microtraps. On the chip, three-dimensional positioning and excitationless transport of condensates are possible.