arXiv subjects

L. Feenstra

Publications and source records attributed to L. Feenstra.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Cryogenic geometric anti-spring vibration isolation system

The combination of low temperature and low vibration levels is key for ultrasensitive sensing applications such as scanning probe microscopy, large-mass quantum mechanics, and gravitational wave detection. Unfortunately, closed-cycle cryostats using pulse tube or GM coolers introduce strong low-frequency vibrations starting at 1 Hz. Mass-spring systems allow passive isolation, but for low-frequency applications the required spring constants and masses become impractical. Blade-based geometric anti-spring systems are compact isolators that operate from sub-Hz frequencies, but have not been demonstrated at cryogenic temperatures. Here, we characterize a geometric anti-spring system tuned to operate at cryogenic temperatures. Our cryogenic filter uses radially arranged titanium blade springs whose effective spring constant can be tuned in-situ using a magnetic actuator. Our system achieves a vertical resonance frequency of 185 mHz at 7K, which allows reduction of vibrations at the problematic 1 Hz cooler frequency by an order of magnitude.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2004

Atom lithography with two-dimensional optical masks

With a two-dimensional (2D) optical mask, nanoscale patterns are created for the first time in an atom lithography process using metastable helium atoms. The internal energy of the atoms is used to locally damage a hydrofobic resist layer, which is removed in a wet etching process. Experiments have been performed with several polarizations for the optical mask, resulting in different intensity patterns, and corresponding nanoscale structures. The results for a linear polarized light field show an array of holes with a diameter of 260 nm, in agreement with a computed pattern. With a circularly polarized light field a line pattern is observed with a spacing of 766 nm. Simulations taking into account many possible experimental imperfections can not explain this pattern.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2003

Nanolithography with metastable helium atoms in a high-power standing-wave light field

We have created periodic nanoscale structures in a gold substrate with a lithography process using metastable triplet helium atoms that damage a hydrofobic resist layer on top of the substrate. A beam of metastable helium atoms is transversely cooled and guided through an intense standing-wave light field. Compared to commonly used low-power optical masks, a high-power light field (saturation parameter of 10E7) increases the confinement of the atoms in the standing-wave considerably, and makes the alignment of the experimental setup less critical. Due to the high internal energy of the metastable helium atoms (20 eV), a dose of only one atom per resist molecule is required. With an exposure time of only eight minutes, parallel lines with a separation of 542 nm and a width of 100 nm (1/11th of the wavelength used for the optical mask) are created.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2003

Numerical simulations on the motion of atoms travelling through a standing-wave light field

The motion of metastable helium atoms travelling through a standing light wave is investigated with a semi-classical numerical model. The results of a calculation including the velocity dependence of the dipole force are compared with those of the commonly used approach, which assumes a conservative dipole force. The comparison is made for two atom guiding regimes that can be used for the production of nanostructure arrays; a low power regime, where the atoms are focused in a standing wave by the dipole force, and a higher power regime, in which the atoms channel along the potential minima of the light field. In the low power regime the differences between the two models are negligible and both models show that, for lithography purposes, pattern widths of 150 nm can be achieved. In the high power channelling regime the conservative force model, predicting 100 nm features, is shown to break down. The model that incorporates velocity dependence, resulting in a structure size of 40 nm, remains valid, as demonstrated by a comparison with quantum Monte-Carlo wavefunction calculations.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2003

Microtraps and Atom Chips: Toolboxes for Cold Atom Physics

Magnetic microtraps and Atom Chips are safe, small-scale, reliable and flexible tools to prepare ultra-cold and degenerate atom clouds as sources for various atom-optical experiments. We present an overview of the possibilities of the devices and indicate how a microtrap can be used to prepare and launch a Bose-Einstein condensate for use in an atom clock or an interferometer.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2002

Bose-Einstein Condensation in a simple Microtrap

A Bose-Einstein condensate is created in a simple and robust miniature Ioffe-Pritchard trap, the so-called Z trap. This trap follows from the mere combination of a Z-shaped current carrying wire and a homogeneous bias field. The experimental procedure allows condensation of typically 3x10^5 Rb-87 atoms in the |F=2, m_F=2> state close to any mirroring surface, irrespective of its structure, thus it is ideally suited as a source for cold atom physics near surfaces.

cond-mat.soft↗