Berlin 2014 – scientific programme
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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 36: Ultra-cold atoms, ions and BEC IV (with Q)
A 36.4: Talk
Thursday, March 20, 2014, 11:15–11:30, BEBEL E34
Towards Graphene Atom Chips — •Christian Koller1, Amruta Gadge1, Robert Hollenstein1,2, Samanta Piana1, Jessica Maclean1, Francesco Intravaia1,3,4, Mark Fromhold1, and Peter Krueger1 — 1MIdlands Ultracold Atom Research Center, UNiversity of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK — 2Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology, TU Wien, Atominstitut, Stadionallee 2, 1020 Wie — 3Max-Born-Institut, 12489 Berlin, Germany — 4Institut fuer Physik, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Newtonstr. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany
Current atom chip technology enables trapping of atoms at distances of 10-100 microns from the surface. The limitation on the trapping distance arises from distance-dependent effects like surface forces, Johnson noise or fields generated from the adsorbates. Ultra-close trapping of atoms would improve the resolution of cold-atom based surface probes when they are used to map out current distributions and electric and magnetic fields. We are constructing an experimental system to trap atoms very close to the surface, considering relevant effects that can impede trapping at submicron distances. The basis of these experiments is an atom chip incorporating a thin film. We will position an ultracold cloud of Rb87 atoms, above a graphene sheet supported by a TEM grid, which will allow us to control and shift the cloud precisely to specific grid locations. We will compare the losses from the trap when the cloud is above the metal part and the hollow region of the grid. We will show theoretical calculations and experimental progress.