Fall River, MA – September 1, 2007 - Quantum optical physicists use “atom chips” made of  microfabricated wires or patterned magnetic materials for producing, trapping, and manipulating Bose-Einstein condensates. Atom chips can precisely position Bose-Einstein condensates and can be used as trapped atom interferometers for detecting tiny forces on a small spatial scale

Scientists at Swinburne University of Technology have used Micro Magnetics’ microsensors as the cornerstone of a powerful new imaging technique for measuring the magnetic properties of atom chips.  Using Micro Magnetics’ STJ-020 sensor probe and AL-05 signal conditioning electronics, the researchers in Swinburne’s Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy were able to characterize the magnetic field variation of these chips with micron-level resolution and high magnetic sensitivity.  The results obtained using the STJ-020 sensor probe are shown to be in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations and with data acquired using another method based on an ultracold atom cloud.  With results from the STJ-020 sensor probe, they have also demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate and characterize a linear array of magnetic potentials produced by modifying the edge of a straight current carrying wire. The new atom chips will be able to manipulate the Bose-Einstein condensate more precisely and effectively.

This new work demonstrates how Micro Magnetics' sensing solutions can be readily applied to research applications in physics and engineering.  

Their results are presented in a new work entitled “Scanning magnetoresistance microscopy of atom chips”, downloadable here and at arxiv.org, and in the April 2, 2007 issue of Physical Review A (PDF here).

About Micro Magnetics

Micro Magnetics is a leader in commercial applications of spintronics, a new technology that combines the properties of electron spin and charge to enable devices to deliver superior and unprecedented performance. The company provides innovative solutions, products, and services in semiconductor metrology and ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensing. For more information, visit http://www.micromagnetics.com