Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

School

School of Engineering

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Professor Kamal Alameh

Second Supervisor

Professor Peter Hannaford

Abstract

In this dissertation we explore the basic principles of the magnetic micro-confinement of the quantum degenerate gases where the approach of the so-called two-dimensional magnetic lattices has been theoretically and experimentally investigated. In this research a new generation of two-dimensional magnetic lattice has been proposed and considered as a developing phase for the previous approaches. Its advantage relies on introducing a simplified method to create single or multiple micro-traps of magnetic field local minima distributed, at a certain working distance, above the surface of a thin film of permanent magnetic material. The simplicity in creating the magnetic field local minima at the micro-scale manifests itself as a result of imprinting specific patterns through the thin film using suitable and available micro-fabrication techniques. In this approach, to create multiple micro-traps, patterned square holes of size αh X αh spaced by αs are periodically distributed across the x/y plane taking a two-dimensional grid configuration. These magnetic field local minima are recognized by their ability to trap and confine quantum single-particles and quantum degenerate gases at various levels of distribution in their phase spaces, such as ultracold atoms and virtual quantum particles. Based on the nature of the interaction between the external confining potential fields and the different types of quantum particles, this research is conducted through two separate but not different phases. We performed theoretical and/or experimental investigations, for both phases, at the vicinity of the magnetic micro-confinement and its suitability for trapping quantum particles. A special attention is paid to inspect the coherence in such systems defined in terms of providing an accessible coupling to the internal quantum states of the magnetically trapped particles. Such coherence is considered as one of the important ingredients for simulating condensed matter systems and processing quantum information.

Included in

Physics Commons

Share

 
COinS