Magnetically trapped atoms in the vicinity of an optical nanofibre

Abstract

AbstractMagnetically trapped $$^{87}$$87Rb atoms have been observed near a single-mode optical nanofibre. Approximately $$1\times 10^6$$1×106 atoms were optically pumped to the $${|{F=2,m_\mathrm{F}=2}\rangle }$$|F=2,mF=2⟩ state and held in the trap with a trap lifetime of up to 2 s. The temperature of the atomic sample within the magnetic trap was measured to be below $$230\,\upmu \hbox {K}$$230μK. The compact vacuum system and high-temperature fibre feedthroughs are presented, and the feasibility of creating a quantum degenerate gas of ultracold neutral atoms near an optical nanofibre is discussed.