Speaker
Prof.
Peter Krüger
(University of Nottingham, UK)
Description
Abstract: Microtraps for cold atoms based on patterned
surface-mounted structures (atom chips) form the basis of
quantum devices utilizing ultracold atomic gases for many-
body quantum state engineering and measurement. In this
talk we will showcase some experiments that illustrate the
capability of such devices for applications ranging from
portable sensors to be used outside the laboratory to studies
of dynamics in a one-dimensional gas of low-temperature
bosons. New types of experiments become possible through
structuring and manipulating quantum gases on
(sub)micron scales, which requires the distance between
trap and chip surface to be reduced to similar scales. We will
present some of these new opportunities arising from the
ability to shape the environment of the gas with a tailoring
resolution on the order of and beyond its characteristic
length scales (healing length). Conversely, a quantum gas
trapped at a micron or less distance from a surface is a
highly sensitive probe for microscopic magnetic fields that
features high spatial resolution at the same time. We will
discuss the obstacles on the way to further miniaturization
of atom chips and how they can be overcome using novel
materials and geometries.