Michela Venturelli | Searcharxiv

arXiv2019

A Cold Atom Radio-Frequency Magnetometer

We propose and demonstrate a radio-frequency atomic magnetometer with sub-Doppler laser cooled rubidium-87. With a simple and compact design, our system demonstrates a sensitivity of $330~pT/\sqrt{Hz}$ in an unshielded environment, thus matching or surpassing previously reported cold atoms designs. By merging the multiple uses and robustness of radio-frequency atomic magnetometers with the detailed control of laser cooling, our cold atom radio-frequency magnetometer has the potential to move applications of atomic magnetometry to high spatial resolution. Direct impact in metrology for applied sciences, materials characterization, and nanotechnology can be anticipated.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2016

Compact setup for the production of $^{87}$Rb $|F = 2, m_F = +2\rangle$ Bose-Einstein condensates in a hybrid trap

We present a compact experimental apparatus for Bose-Einstein condensation of $^{87}$Rb in the $|F = 2, m_F = +2\rangle$ state. A pre-cooled atomic beam of $^{87}$Rb is obtained by using an unbalanced magneto-optical trap, allowing controlled transfer of trapped atoms from the first vacuum chamber to the science chamber. Here, atoms are transferred to a hybrid trap, as produced by overlapping a magnetic quadrupole trap with a far-detuned optical trap with crossed beam configuration, where forced radiofrequency evaporation is realized. The final evaporation leading to Bose-Einstein condensation is then performed by exponentially lowering the optical trap depth. Control and stabilization systems of the optical trap beams are discussed in detail. The setup reliably produces a pure condensate in the $|F = 2, m_F = +2\rangle$ state in 50 s, which include 33 s loading of the science magneto-optical trap and 17 s forced evaporation.

physics.atom-ph↗