Guiding neutral atoms around curves with lithographically patterned current-carrying wires

Laser-cooled neutral atoms from a low-velocity atomic soul ce are guided vi a a magnetic field generated between two parallel wins on a glass substrate . The atoms bend around three curves, each with a 15-cm radius of curvature , while traveling along a 10-cm-long track. A maximum flux of 2 x 10(6) ato ms/sec is achieved with a current density of 3 x 10(4) A/cm(2) in the 100 X 100-mu m cross-section wires. The kinetic energy of the guided atoms in on e transverse dimension is measured to be 43 mu K.