Ferromagnetic Traps for Quasi-Continuous Operation of Optical Nanofiber Interfaces

Abstract

A soft ferromagnetic plate uniformizes Tesla-level fields generated by attached permanent magnets, producing a smooth and electronically tunable surface field on the opposite side. By arranging $n$ precisely fabricated rectangular plates, a nearly ideal magnetic quadrupole field with a substantial gradient can be created at center. This robust and rapidly tunable field configuration is well suited for two-dimensional magneto-optical trapping (2D-MOT) and magnetic guiding of cold atoms. By aligning an optical nanofiber (ONF) along the zero-field line of a planar 2D-MOT in a 2-plate assembly, we demonstrate quasi-continuous, field-free operation of the quantum optical interface without switching off the magnetic field. Transient transmission spectroscopy with nanosecond laser pulses is performed on the $^{87}$Rb D2 line at a measurement repetition rate as high as 250 kHz. The observed line broadening, while not yet fully understood, is partially attributed to residual magnetic fields in the $n=2$ assembly. Through additional measurements and simulations, we verify that these residual fields can be fully eliminated in an $n=4$ assembly, resulting in an ultra-straight 2D trap that supports uniform light-atom interaction over exceptionally long, field-free distances. We extend our discussion to $n=6$, $n=8$ designs with similar uniformity but multiple zero-field lines. With its strong gradient for magnetic trapping, the ferromagnetic devices also enable new quantum optical scenarios featuring interactions between co-guided atoms and photons at ONF interfaces.