Light-induced atomic desorption in a compact system for ultracold atoms.

In recent years, light-induced atomic desorption (LIAD) of alkali atoms from the inner surface of a vacuum chamber has been employed in cold atom experiments for the purpose of modulating the alkali background vapour. This is beneficial because larger trapped atom samples can be loaded from vapour at higher pressure, after which the pressure is reduced to increase the lifetime of the sample. We present an analysis, based on the case of rubidium atoms adsorbed on pyrex, of various aspects of LIAD that are useful for this application.

Measurement of vacuum pressure with a magneto-optical trap: A pressure-rise method.

The lifetime of an atom trap is often limited by the presence of residual background gases in the vacuum chamber. This leads to the lifetime being inversely proportional to the pressure. Here, we use this dependence to estimate the pressure and to obtain pressure rate-of-rise curves, which are commonly used in vacuum science to evaluate the performance of a system.

Magnetic-film atom chip with 10 μm period lattices of microtraps for quantum information science with Rydberg atoms.

We describe the fabrication and construction of a setup for creating lattices of magnetic microtraps for ultracold atoms on an atom chip. The lattice is defined by lithographic patterning of a permanent magnetic film. Patterned magnetic-film atom chips enable a large variety of trapping geometries over a wide range of length scales.

Influence of pressure on the magnetic ordering of CeNiSnH and CeNiSnH(1.8) hydrides.

The magnetic properties of the antiferromagnet CeNiSnH and of the ferromagnet CeNiSnH(1.8) on hydrostatic pressure (0≤P≤10.8 bar) have been determined using a miniature piston-cylinder CuBe pressure cell.