Abstract

We have constructed an apparatus for making laser-cooled magneto-optical and magnetostatic neutral-atom traps in a sealed cryogenic environment. The very low background gas densities achieved in this apparatus, plus the ability to use superconducting structures to generate very high magnetic-field gradients and curvatures, provide experimental capabilities not available in traditional vacuum systems. To date, we have generated magnetic quadrupole fields with gradients up to 50 kG/cm, and by measuring magnetostatic trap decay times we estimate background pressures of about 10⁻¹² Torr. Planned improvements in the apparatus should lower the background gas pressure further.

© 1994 Optical Society of America