Hannover 2013 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 29: Poster: Ultra-cold atoms, ions and BEC (with Q)

A 29.14: Poster

Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 16:00–18:30, Empore Lichthof

Detection of Single Flux Quanta with Ultracold Atoms — •Patrizia Weiß, Simon Bernon, Helge Hattermann, Martin Knufinke, Daniel Bothner, Reinhold Kleiner, Dieter Koelle, and József Fortágh — Physikalisches Institut and CQ Center for Collective Quantum Phenomena and their Applications, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 14, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany

We report on the interaction of an atomic cloud with a superconducting ring. When such a structure is cooled through the superconducting transition (T_c =9.2 K) in an external field, persistent currents will conserve the magnetic flux inside the ring. The trapped flux is quantized and will be an integer multiple of the magnetic flux quantum Φ₀ = 2.067×10⁻¹⁵ Tm².

We trap atomic clouds of ⁸⁷Rb in a superconducting magnetic microtrap at 4.2 K and bring the atoms in the vicinity of the ring structure (R = 10 µm). The atomic cloud is sensitive to the potential generated by the persistent currents in the ring. Changes of single flux quanta Φ₀ can be observed in the atomic density distribution, as well as in the trap depth. The results pave the way towards coupling cold atoms to SQUIDS and the generation of periodic magnetic micropotentials based on persistent currents.